Keratomalacia
Keratomalacia is a progressive nutritional disease of the eye, due to insufficent (i.e. a deficiency of) vitamin A.
(That this term concerns effects on the cornea of the eye is indicated by the prefix "kerat-" which refers to the cornea of the eye, and also applies to other terms in this section - as listed on the left).
Keratomalacia may follow from untreated xerophthalmia (also described as "a progressive nutritional disease of the eye due to deficiency of vitamin A" but additionally involving very dry eyes, and generally the stage prior to, but which sometimes lead to , keratomalacia).
Progression of keratomalacia involves the cornea of the eye becoming soft, and in some cases also perforated.
This is a very serious condition than may lead to blindness.
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include
- A diagram of the eye
- Definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina
- Definitions of parts of the retina
- Clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system
For further information see also our pages of books about ophthalmology.
The following books may also be of interest:
