Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin A (unspecified)
For the health condition: Conjunctivitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining the health and function of the conjunctival and corneal epithelium. Scientific evidence supports its use in both the prevention and treatment of conjunctival disorders, especially those related to deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency is well known to cause xerophthalmia, which can manifest as conjunctival dryness and keratinization, predisposing to secondary infection and conjunctivitis. Supplementation with vitamin A can reverse these changes and restore normal epithelial integrity. The World Health Organization recommends vitamin A supplementation in populations at risk for deficiency to prevent ocular complications, including conjunctival infections.
Topical vitamin A preparations (such as retinol palmitate eye ointments) have been evaluated in clinical studies for managing various ocular surface disorders, including conjunctivitis and dry eye, with some evidence of efficacy in improving symptoms and epithelial healing. However, for typical infectious conjunctivitis not associated with vitamin A deficiency or severe epithelial compromise, vitamin A is not a frontline or standard therapy.
Overall, while there is moderate scientific evidence supporting vitamin A’s role in preventing and treating conjunctival damage in deficiency states, its direct use for common forms of conjunctivitis (e.g., viral or bacterial) is less established. Its main benefit is in deficiency-related conjunctival pathology rather than routine infectious conjunctivitis.
More about Vitamin A (unspecified)
More about Conjunctivitis
Other ingredients used for Conjunctivitis
Aloe verabilberry
black currant
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
ginger
green tea
honeysuckle
lactoperoxidase
nettle
phellodendron amurense
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
schizonepeta
sphaeranthus indicus
vitamin A
vitamin C
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
neem tree
commiphora
swertia
chrysanthemum
trichosanthes
eucalyptus
Alchornea
Aconite
American Liverleaf
Astragalin
Bee Propolis
Bermuda Grass
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Balsam
Butea monosperma
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bee products
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Colloidal Silver
Chinese Raisintree
Eclipta
Eyebright
Glechoma hederacea
Honey
Heal-All
Houttuynia
Ligustrum
Lysozyme
Lycopodium
Liverwort
Metal Salt
Macaranga indica
Nimbidin
Propolis
Pulsatilla
Paris polyphylla
Rosa laevigata
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Thymus
Tulbaghia
Violet
Xanthophyll
Other health conditions supported by Vitamin A (unspecified)
AcneAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Anemia
Burns and Scalds
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Diarrhea
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Leukemia