Twitchy eyes and blurry vision could be signs of vitamin B12 deficiency

Many people tend to overlook how lacking in certain vitamins can affect their overall health and function. In the case of vitamin B12, signs of a deficiency can be found in the eyes.

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin the body needs. It plays a significant part in the production of red blood cells, as well as nerve tissue and overall brain health. A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to some symptoms that may become permanent. A few indicators of a deficiency of this vitamin can be found in the eyes, as Express reports. One of these indicators is disturbed or blurry vision.

This happens when an untreated vitamin B12 deficiency results in nervous system damage to the optic nerve. Another indicator of a vitamin B12 deficiency is twitching eyes, usually in one eye or below one eye. Eye twitching may also occur to those who are borderline deficient in vitamin B12. The third indicator of a vitamin B12 deficiency is a yellowish tinge to the whites of the eyes.

As vitamin B12 is responsible for red blood cell production, a deficiency would mean an excess of bilirubin, a substance in the liver that results from breaking down old blood cells with a slightly reddish-brown color.

While many vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms can be very minor, just very uncomfortable, a lack of this vitamin may also result in illnesses as well. Another report reveals that getting diarrhea is a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin also happens to affect the digestive tract, and because there is a lack of red blood cells, not enough oxygen is reaching the digestive system. This would lead to nausea and diarrhea.

Other known symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency include numbness in the hands or a tingling sensation in the hands, weakness, fatigue, and difficulty walking. People who strictly follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are at high risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency as foods like dairy, meat, fish, and poultry are good sources of vitamin B12. Non-meat and non-dairy foods that have been fortified with this vitamin can also be taken.