Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Kumale Tolesa Daba,
Jimma University, Ethiopia
Keynote: Bilateral keratomalacia secondary to diet induced vitamin A deficiency in an Ethiopian young woman: A case report
Biography:
Kumale Tolesa Daba has completed Doctor of Medicine degree from Jimma University, School of Medicine and Ophthalmology specialty. She is an Assistant Professor
of Ophthalmology in Jimma University. She has published 4 papers in reputed journals and has 6 more pending publications. She has inclination towards Glaucoma and
Pediatric Ophthalmology. She did a short term fellowship on Pediatric Ophthalmology and strabismus at Gachon University Gil Hospital, South Korea and Tilganga Institute
of Ophthalmology, Nepal.
Abstract:
Diet induced vitamin A deficiency is less commonly seen in otherwise healthy adults, due to large store of vitamin A in the
body. Night blindness is the commonest manifestation of vitamin A deficiency in adults, whereas keratomalacia is a rare
manifestation. A 27 years old Ethiopian woman came to Jimma University Department of Ophthalmology with a compliant of
protrusion of the globe content of both eyes within a week, after having redness and fear of light of both eyes for 2 months. She
is a mother of twins and has low socioeconomic status. On general examination she is catechetic with enlarged parotid gland.
On ocular examination she is bilaterally blind and has dry ocular surface. There was bilaterally melted cornea with prolapsed
uveal tissue. After going through several investigations, she was diagnosed as bilateral keratomalacia (stage X3B) secondary
to diet induced vitamin A deficiency. She was supplemented with vitamin A and other nutritional supplementation. Topical
lubricating drops and ointments were administered. Finally conjunctival flap was done to preserve the globe. Although it is
rare, treating physicians should be aware of the occurrence of keratomalacia in adults which is potentially blinding. Early
recognition and treatment of vitamin A deficiency at the stage of night blindness is very essential in reducing blindness caused
by keratomalacia.