VITAMIN A

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin.

Vitamin A is required for growth and normal development and differentiation of tissues; prolonged deprivation results in death. Human vitamin A deficiency is common in some developing countries, particularly among young children. The most obvious signs are dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea (xerophthalmia), which can lead to permanent eye damage. In the retina, the aldehyde form of vitamin A serves as the light-gathering part of the visual pigments. An early sign of deficiency is impaired adaptation to low intensity light (night blindness).