Boy goes permanently blind as a result of poor diet
Doctors diagnosed the boy with severe vitamin A deficiency, a condition that, while rare in developed countries, remains one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide. In this case, the deficiency led to optic atrophy – irreversible damage to the optic nerve that causes permanent vision loss.
Dr. Erna Nadia, a well-known Malaysian physician with a strong social media presence, shared the case on Facebook to raise awareness. “As a mother, I understand it’s not always easy to prepare nutritious meals when you’re busy. Pity for the parents of this student – it’s not easy for them to accept,” she wrote.
Warning Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency
The Daily Mail reports that Dr. Nadia urged other parents to watch for early symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, which can include:
- Dry eyes
- Trouble seeing in low light
- Gray spots or shadows on the whites of the eyes
- Difficulty producing tears
How to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vitamin A is essential for healthy vision and overall immune function. To avoid deficiency, diets should include:
- Leafy green vegetables and broccoli
- Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other orange/yellow vegetables
- Mangoes, oranges, cantaloupe, and papayas
- Eggs, dairy products, liver, beef, and chicken
- Fortified foods like cereal, rice, wheat, and soybeans
- Fatty fish such as salmonContinue reading…
