# Poor Vision from Copper Deficiency

## TL;DR

This paper reviews medical cases where copper deficiency caused poor vision and suggests treatment approaches.

## Contribution

The paper compiles clinical cases and offers guidance on copper supplementation for vision improvement.

## Key findings

- A middle-aged woman's severe vision loss improved with 10 months of copper replacement.
- Copper gluconate is recommended as the preferred supplement for copper deficiency.
- Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase is a sensitive test for detecting copper deficiency.

## Abstract

A dozen medical articles describe poor vision from copper deficiency. They are collected here along with some ideas about copper nutrition, epidemiology, patient evaluation and treatment.

Clinical descriptions have been brief. Severe vision loss of a middle-aged woman improved from 20/400 to 20/25 with copper replacement for 10 months.

The optimal chemical form, dose, duration or route of copper repletion are defined poorly. Copper gluconate is the preferred supplement; several mg of elemental copper usually should be given daily for months. Superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes is one of the more sensitive tests of deficiency.