antiophthalmic factor
Noun: A fat-soluble vitamin, specifically vitamin A or one of its precursor compounds (such as beta-carotene), that is essential for maintaining healthy vision. It prevents conditions like night blindness and disorders involving inflammation or dryness of the eyes.
This is a technical, scientific term used primarily in nutritional science, biochemistry, and medicine. It refers to the biochemical function of the vitamin rather than being a common name for it. * A diet deficient in the antiophthalmic factor can lead to vision problems. * Carrots are a rich dietary source of precursors to the antiophthalmic factor.
The term is largely historical and has been superseded in most modern contexts by "vitamin A" or more specific compound names like "retinol" or "retinal." It may appear in older scientific literature. * Early 20th-century research identified the antiophthalmic factor in cod liver oil.
- Vitamin A: The common, modern name for this group of nutrients.
- Retinol: The form of vitamin A found in animal products.
- Retinal: The aldehyde form of vitamin A crucial for the visual cycle in the retina.
- Beta-carotene: A provitamin A carotenoid found in plants, which the body converts into vitamin A.
- Vitamin A
- Retinol (specific form)
- Axerophthol (an older synonym)
This term has a single, specific meaning related to the visual function of vitamin A. It is not used in other contexts.
- any of several fat-soluble vitamins essential for normal vision; prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness of the eyes