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 sheds light on the serious dangers posed by severe vitamin deficiencies in children. According to iHeart, the child has reportedly subsisted on a limited diet, primarily consisting of chicken nuggets, sausages, and cookies, since infancy.
The issue came to light only when the boy asked his teacher, “Why can’t I see anything?” Concerned, the school staff quickly took him to the hospital.
There, doctors diagnosed him with severe vitamin A deficiency—a rare condition in wealthy nations but still one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide. This diagnosis was confirmed by medical professionals.
In this case, the deficiency led to optic atrophy, an irreversible damage to the optic nerve, causing permanent vision loss.
Dr. Erna Nadia, a prominent Malaysian physician with a strong social media following, shared the story on Facebook to raise awareness of this critical issue.
“I am a mother, and I know how challenging it can be to prepare nutritious meals when you’re juggling so many other responsibilities,” she said. “I feel for the parents of this student, as this is not an easy situation for them to come to terms with or manage.”
Dr. Nadia, in her post, also shared vital information about the warning signs of vitamin A deficiency. According to the Daily Mail, she advised parents to be vigilant for early symptoms, which may include:
Here are some key warning signs of vitamin A deficiency:
- Dry eyes
- Difficulty seeing in dim light
- Grayish patches or shadows in the whites of the eyes
- Issues with tear production
How to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vitamin A is essential not only for good vision but also for maintaining a healthy immune system. To prevent a deficiency, it’s important to include the following foods in your diet:
- Leafy green vegetables like broccoli
- Orange and yellow vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin
- Fruits like papayas, mangoes, oranges, and cantaloupe
To maintain adequate vitamin A levels, consider incorporating the following foods into your diet:
- Eggs, dairy products, liver, meat, and poultry
- Fortified foods like cereal, rice, wheat, and soybeans
- Fatty fish such as salmon
In certain cases, particularly in developing countries, vitamin A supplements may be necessary—especially for infants, young children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
While vitamin A deficiency is rare in countries like the United States, its consequences are dire across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, it remains the leading preventable cause of childhood blindness worldwide.
In October of the previous year, the Daily Mail reported on a similar case involving a 12-year-old child from Massachusetts who lost his sight due to a nutrient-deficient diet. This case mirrors the incident, highlighting the serious consequences of poor nutrition, especially in young children.
