state of vitamin A and protein pattern in conjunctival and corneal disease

ABSTRACT

The vitamin A level, total protein and electrophoretically separated fractions in serum of patients suffering from conjunctival or corneal disease were analysed and compared with normals. Blood haemoglobin and dietary recall were also made. Absorption test for vitamin A was done for patients showing low serum vitamin A level. Results indicated a drop in serum vitamin A level in patients suffering from conjunctival xerosis with a diminshed rate of intestinal vitamin A absorption. The other conjunctival or corneal eye diseases show normal level of vitamin A. The level of serum alpha 2 -macroglobulin and transferrin was high. These two protein fractions help to strengthen the defense mechanism of the body and also to inhibit proteases, in particular collagenase in cases of comeal ulcer