Chapter 16: Why Children lose Their Vision and What We Can Do
NIGHT BLINDNESS, DRY EYES, AND XEROPHTHALMIA
(LACK OF VITAMIN A)
To keep the eyes healthy, people need to eat foods that have vitamin A, which is found in certain fruits, vegetables, and some meat. When a child eats enough foods with vitamin A, the surface of the eye stays wet and healthy. Many poor children do not get enough foods that are rich in vitamin A and their eyes begin to dry out. This is called "dry eyes."
Dark yellow and dark green vegetables, and some red or orange fruits and vegetables, are rich in vitamin A. Fish, milk, eggs, and liver also contain vitamin A.
Not getting enough vitamin A is the most common cause of blindness in children, especially in Africa and South Asia. It usually happens to children who are between 6 months and 6 years old. Children under 6 months who only breastfeed usually get enough vitamin A from their mother's milk.
Signs:
First, a child has trouble seeing in the dark or does not want to play outside after dark.
Later, the colored part of the eye also gets dry and dull, and may have little pits.
Then, the eyes may begin to look dry. The white part becomes less shiny, starts to wrinkle, and forms small gray spots that look like soap bubbles (Bitot's spots).
Finally, the colored part may get soft, swell, or burst, causing blindness.
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Finally, the colored part may get soft, swell, or burst, causing blindness. 
Eye Care
