Low levels of vitamin B12 in the body can cause dry, yellow eyes and uncontrolled eye twitching.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that the body needs but cannot produce on its own. It is available in animal products but is also added to some foods and is available as a pill or injection.
Vitamin B12 has many roles in the body such as supporting the function of nerve cells, being necessary for red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. Adults need about 2.4 mcg B12 per day. Vitamin B12 deficiency usually affects the nervous system but sometimes also causes vision problems.
Dry eyes
Vitamin B12 deficiency in the body can cause severe dry eyes and eye pain. This is because the deficiency damages the corneal nerve layer. Oral vitamin B12 supplements and the use of artificial tears may reduce dry eyes.
Yellow eyes
People with vitamin B12 problems often look pale and have a slight yellow color to their skin and the whites of their eyes, also known as jaundice. This condition occurs when the body does not produce enough red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet can provide adequate amounts of vitamin B12.
Optic nerve problems
Vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest as neuropsychiatric symptoms without anemia. This vitamin plays an important role in the process of myelination of nerve cells. A deficiency can lead to a decrease in nerve impulses of the optic nerve, causing eye weakness.
Uncontrolled eye twitching
Not having enough vitamin B12 in the body affects the nervous system, most commonly peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord disease, and cognitive and behavioral symptoms. These problems also lead to some involuntary eye movements such as eye twitching, a rare manifestation that can be remedied by supplementing the body with vitamin B12.
Besides the eye symptoms above, some other recognizable symptoms of B12 deficiency can include pale skin, fatigue, headaches, sore mouth, stomach problems, irritation, mood changes, and depression. In addition to consulting a doctor about supplement products, patients can increase this nutrient through foods such as clams, beef, salmon, tuna, sardines, eggs, milk and cheese.