Dry Eyes

Plant-sourced beta-carotene is functionally inadequate for preventing dry eyes because it converts to active retinol at only about 3%. Zinc deficiency blocks vitamin A from functioning even when vitamin A intake is adequate. Dry eyes are most commonly caused by vitamin A (retinol) deficiency. Reduced blinking is said to accelerate tear evaporation and cause fatigue and dryness. Gallbladder dysfunction prevents retinol absorption, causing vitamin A deficiency and dry eyes even when dietary intake is adequate. Night blindness is a secondary symptom that overlaps with dry eye as both are classic manifestations of vitamin A deficiency. Gallbladder dysfunction prevents the extraction of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A from food even when dietary intake is adequate. Dry eye is frequently a vitamin A deficiency rather than a simple moisture problem. Screen use is described as sharply reducing blink rate compared with a healthy rate. Vitamin A deficiency can cause sticky eyes upon waking, night blindness, and in severe cases corneal damage. In severe vitamin A depletion, the cornea can tear when the eyelid opens because the eye surface is too dry for normal blinking. Vegans are partic…