Andino D, et al. - Among an urban pediatric population sample with moderate-severe persistent asthma, researchers studied the prevalence of vitamin A and zinc deficiency in conjunction with visual function. A cross-sectional case-control assessment of serum vitamin A, zinc and visual function was carried out in urban children with and without asthma. By Snellen visual acuity and Peli Robson contrast sensitivity assessment, visual function was evaluated. Only well-controlled pediatric asthmatic patients (ages of 8–18) with corrected vision of at least 20/25 in each eye and chronic use of a combination beta agonist-steroid inhaler were included. In total, 24 patients were enrolled to study with a body mass index and age between asthmatic and control groups. Children with chronic asthma show reduced levels of vitamin A and zinc that may be related to disease pathobiology, but no evidence of frank zinc or vitamin A deficiency has been shown. Reduced contrast sensitivity in the asthma group appears to be unrelated to serum vitamin A and/or zinc.