Keratomalacia

An eye disorder that results from vitamin A deficiency, with basis in disruption of maintenance of the specialized epithelial surfaces, leading to atrophic changes in the normal mucosal surface, with loss of goblet cells, and replacement of the normal epithelium by an inappropriate keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. In addition, the substantia propria of the cornea breaks down and liquefies, resulting in keratomalacia.