Vitamin A Deficiency and Xerophthalmia in an Autistic Child

A5-YEAR-OLD boy with severe autism was referred to the corneal and external disease service with a history of bilateral corneal ulceration. The referring ophthalmologist had examined the child under anesthesia and noted an active corneal ulcer in the right eye and a healed ulcer in the left eye. The patient’s mother stated that his eyes had appeared red and that he was light sensitive for several weeks, rubbing both eyes frequently during this time. She also noted that the child appeared to be clumsy, bumping into and falling over furniture inside the