Question 1

What is Keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

Keratomalacia is a serious eye condition characterized by softening and deterioration of the cornea that can lead to ulceration and permanent vision loss. It is caused by severe vitamin A deficiency, which prevents the cornea from maintaining its structural integrity. The Vitamin A (Retinol) blood test is the most important test for diagnosing this condition.

Question 2

What causes keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

Keratomalacia is caused by severe vitamin A deficiency, which deprives the cornea of essential nutrients needed to maintain its structure and function. When your body lacks adequate vitamin A over an extended period, the cornea begins to soften, dry out, and deteriorate. This condition is most common in areas with limited access to vitamin A-rich foods like liver, dairy products, and leafy green vegetables, though it can also occur due to malabsorption disorders that prevent proper vitamin A absorption.

Question 3

What is the best test for keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

The Vitamin A (Retinol) blood test is the most important test for keratomalacia because it directly measures the level of vitamin A circulating in your bloodstream and confirms the underlying nutritional deficiency causing the corneal damage. This test provides definitive evidence of vitamin A deficiency, which is the root cause of keratomalacia. Low vitamin A levels (typically below 20 mcg/dL) indicate severe deficiency and help your healthcare provider determine the appropriate dosage and duration of vitamin A supplementation needed to restore healthy corneal tissue and prevent further vision damage.

Question 4

When should I get tested for keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you notice any signs of corneal damage such as dry, cloudy, or hazy eyes, progressive vision problems, night blindness, or if you have risk factors for vitamin A deficiency. Testing is especially important if you have a diet low in vitamin A-rich foods, digestive disorders that affect nutrient absorption (like celiac disease or Crohn's disease), chronic diarrhea, or if you have recently traveled to or lived in areas where malnutrition is common. Early detection through blood testing can prevent permanent vision loss and guide effective treatment.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

Keratomalacia symptoms include progressive drying and clouding of the cornea, night blindness (difficulty seeing in low light), hazy or blurred vision, and the appearance of white foamy spots on the eye called Bitot's spots. As the condition advances, you may notice the cornea becoming soft and vulnerable to ulceration, eye pain, increased sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing. In severe cases, the cornea can perforate, leading to permanent vision loss. These symptoms typically develop gradually as vitamin A deficiency worsens over time.

Question 6

Who is at risk for keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

People at highest risk for keratomalacia include those with chronic malnutrition or severely restricted diets lacking vitamin A-rich foods, individuals with digestive disorders that impair fat absorption (since vitamin A is fat-soluble), and those with chronic liver disease where vitamin A is stored. Young children in developing countries with limited access to nutritious food, people with alcoholism, those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, and individuals with cystic fibrosis or pancreatic disorders are also at increased risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women have higher vitamin A requirements and may develop deficiency if dietary intake is inadequate.

Question 7

What happens if keratomalacia is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

If left untreated, keratomalacia progresses rapidly and can cause irreversible damage to your eyes and vision. The softened cornea becomes increasingly vulnerable to ulceration and bacterial infection, which can lead to corneal perforation where the eye literally ruptures. This results in permanent blindness in the affected eye. Even before perforation occurs, severe corneal scarring from untreated keratomalacia causes permanent vision impairment. The condition can affect both eyes simultaneously, potentially leading to complete blindness. Early diagnosis through vitamin A testing and immediate supplementation can prevent these devastating complications.

Question 8

Can keratomalacia be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, keratomalacia can be effectively diagnosed with a blood test that measures vitamin A (retinol) levels. While your eye doctor will examine your cornea to identify the physical signs of keratomalacia, the Vitamin A blood test confirms the underlying cause by revealing severe vitamin A deficiency. Blood testing provides objective evidence of the nutritional deficiency and helps determine the severity, which guides treatment decisions. Testing vitamin A levels is essential for both diagnosis and monitoring treatment progress as you undergo vitamin A supplementation therapy.

Question 9

How is keratomalacia treated?

Accepted Answer

Keratomalacia is treated with immediate high-dose vitamin A supplementation, typically starting with 200,000 IU orally for adults, followed by ongoing supplementation to restore normal vitamin A levels. Treatment also includes addressing any underlying causes of vitamin A deficiency, such as dietary improvements or treating malabsorption disorders. Your healthcare provider will monitor your vitamin A levels through follow-up blood tests to ensure adequate restoration. In cases where corneal damage has occurred, lubricating eye drops may be prescribed to protect the cornea, and antibiotics may be needed if infection develops. Early treatment can often reverse corneal changes and restore vision.

Question 10

How can I prevent keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent keratomalacia by maintaining adequate vitamin A intake through a balanced diet rich in vitamin A sources like liver, fish oils, egg yolks, dairy products, and orange or dark green vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. If you have a condition that affects nutrient absorption, work with your healthcare provider to ensure proper vitamin supplementation. Regular blood tests to monitor vitamin A levels are important if you have risk factors for deficiency. For those in high-risk groups, prophylactic vitamin A supplementation may be recommended to maintain healthy levels and protect your vision.

Question 11

What can I do at home for keratomalacia?

Accepted Answer

At home, focus on increasing your intake of vitamin A-rich foods immediately while seeking medical treatment, as keratomalacia requires professional intervention. Include foods like cooked liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, eggs, and fortified dairy products in your daily meals. Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist and protected while awaiting treatment. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as the softened cornea is vulnerable to injury. However, home remedies alone cannot treat keratomalacia—you must get a vitamin A blood test and receive proper supplementation under medical supervision to prevent permanent vision loss.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Keratomalacia Blood Test

What is Keratomalacia?

What causes keratomalacia?

What is the best test for keratomalacia?

When should I get tested for keratomalacia?

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