Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin A (retinol)
For the health condition: Eye Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Vitamin A (retinol) is scientifically validated for use in supporting eye health, particularly in the context of preventing and treating eye infections and complications associated with vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining the integrity and function of epithelial tissues, including those lining the ocular surface (cornea and conjunctiva). Deficiency in vitamin A can lead to xerophthalmia, a spectrum of eye diseases ranging from night blindness to more severe conditions like corneal ulcers and blindness, which are often complicated by secondary infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends high-dose vitamin A supplementation for children in areas where deficiency is prevalent, as it has been shown to reduce the risk of blindness and mortality from infectious diseases. Clinical studies have demonstrated that vitamin A supplementation can reduce the incidence and severity of ocular infections such as conjunctivitis and keratomalacia in deficient populations. The mechanism is thought to involve vitamin A's role in maintaining mucosal barriers and supporting immune function, which helps prevent pathogens from invading eye tissues.

However, for individuals with adequate vitamin A status, supplementation does not appear to confer additional protection against eye infections. Thus, while the use of vitamin A for eye infections is grounded in strong scientific evidence, its effectiveness is primarily in the context of deficiency or malnutrition, rather than as a general treatment for infections in well-nourished individuals.

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