How One Boy’s Diet Led to Unexpected Vision Loss — What Parents Should Know
Boy goes permanently blind as a result of poor diet
Due to the fact that he had an incredibly inadequate diet, a young kid in Malaysia who was only eight years old lost his vision permanently.
This incident highlights the hazards that severe vitamin deficiencies can have to youngsters.
Since they were infants, the youngster has apparently consumed very little food other than chicken nuggets, sausages, and cookies, as reported by iHeart.
His problem was not brought to light until he inquired of a teacher, “Why is it that I am unable to see anything?” Following that, the worried members of the school staff transported him to the hospital.
The boy was diagnosed with severe vitamin A deficiency, a condition that, despite being uncommon in affluent nations, continues to be one of the top causes of childhood blindness all over the world. Medical professionals made this diagnosis.
In this particular instance, the deficiency resulted in optic atrophy, which is injury to the optic nerve that cannot be reversed and results in the loss of vision for life.
For the purpose of bringing attention to the situation, Dr. Erna Nadia, a well-known Malaysian physician who has a large presence on social media, presented the story on Facebook.
“I am a mother, and I am aware that it is not always simple to cook wholesome meals when you are occupied with other things. She commented, “I feel sorry for the parents of this student because it is not an easy thing for them to accept and do.”
Warning Signs Related to a Deficiency in Vitamin A
According to the Daily Mail, Dr. Nadia warned other parents to be on the lookout for early indicators of vitamin A insufficiency, which can include the following:
Eyes that are dry
Concerns about visibility in dim light
The whites of the eyes may have shadows or patches of a grayish color.
Problems with the production of tears
What to Do to Avoid Getting a Vitamin A Deficiency
It has been established by the Cleveland Clinic that vitamin A is necessary for maintaining good vision as well as immune system function. Diets should include the following in order to prevent deficiencies:
Broccoli and other type of leafy green vegetables
Various orange and yellow veggies, including carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and others
Fruits such as papayas, mangoes, oranges, and cantaloupe
Ingredients such as eggs, dairy products, liver, meat, and fowl
Foods that have been fortified, such as cereal, rice, wheat, and soybeans
Salmon and other fatty cuts of seafood
It may be required to take vitamin A supplements in some circumstances, particularly in underdeveloped nations. This is especially true for newborns, young children, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The effects of vitamin A insufficiency are severe all over the world, despite the fact that it is relatively uncommon in countries like the United States.
According to the World Health Organization, it is the most common cause of blindness in children that may be prevented anywhere in the world they live.
In October of the previous year, the Daily Mail reported on a similar occurrence in which a child from Massachusetts who was 12 years old and had lost his sight as a result of a diet that was deficient in nutrients. This case is comparable to that incident.
