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Xerotic Keratitis is the medical term for corneal inflammation resulting from "xerosis," or pathological dryness. It occurs when the corneal surface loses its protective moisture film, leading to tissue breakdown.
read more about xerotic keratitis ...This condition is often the final ocular stage of severe Vitamin A deficiency. Without adequate nutrition, the "goblet cells" that produce mucus for the tear film disappear, leaving the cornea exposed.
If left untreated, xerotic keratitis can progress to "keratomalacia," where the cornea becomes soft, opaque, and prone to perforation, often leading to rapid vision loss.
Immediate treatment involves high-dose Vitamin A supplementation and intensive lubrication. In advanced cases, protective "bandage" contact lenses or surgical intervention may be required.
Xerotic keratitis is a clinical emergency that often signals severe systemic malnutrition or advanced autoimmune disorders like Sj?gren's Syndrome that have reached a critical stage.
Yes. While it involves dryness, "xerotic" implies a pathological state of tissue change (xerosis) far more severe than standard dry eye syndrome.
Early inflammation can be reversed, but once deep corneal scarring or "melting" occurs, the vision loss is typically permanent.
It is rare in developed countries but remains a significant cause of blindness in regions with extreme food insecurity.