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Vitamin A for the prevention of blindness due to measles in kids

This Cochrane review focused on vitamin A supplementation (1). Reduced vitamin A concentration increases the risk of blindness in children infected with the measles virus. Promoting vitamin A supplementation in children with measles contributes to the control of blindness in children, which is a high priority within the World Health Organization (WHO) VISION 2020 The Right to Sight Program. The authors assessed the efficacy of vitamin A in preventing blindness in children with measles without prior clinical features of vitamin A deficiency. The authors conclude that there were no trials assessing whether or not vitamin A supplementation in children with measles prevents blindness, as neither study reported blindness or other ocular morbidities as end points. Although it may seem silly to report on such findings, it is exactly this type of inquisitive process that moves science and medicine forward.