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Visual deterioration caused by vitamin A deficiency in patients after bariatric surgery

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Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) after bariatric surgery is recognised as a significant post-operative complication that can lead to visual impairment. We report two cases of night blindness and visual impairment caused by VAD after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. Both patients were treated with intramuscular vitamin A replacement and made near complete recovery in their vision. Ocular complications due to VAD should be diagnosed and treated promptly in patients after bariatric surgery because these complications are reversible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, Level 6, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, 5042, Australia

    J. S. Fok, J. Y. Z. Li &  T. Y. Yong

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  1. J. S. Fok
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  2. J. Y. Z. Li
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  3. T. Y. Yong
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Correspondence to T. Y. Yong.

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Fok, J.S., Li, J.Y.Z. & Yong, T.Y. Visual deterioration caused by vitamin A deficiency in patients after bariatric surgery. Eat Weight Disord 17, e144–e146 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325340

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325340

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