8-year-old boy reportedly became permanently blind after eating common foods as doctor issues warning – Health

A doctor has spoken out online after hearing about a young boy who became “totally blind” in both eyes because of his diet.

An eight-year-old boy from Kuala Lumpur was left “blind and beyond repair” due to the absence of a crucial nutrient in the food he ate.

And one doctor is now sharing his story on social media as a “reminder” to parents and caregivers.

According to a doctor who shared the story on Facebook, a teacher in a third-grade class was suddenly alerted by a student who shouted: “Teacher, why can’t I see anything?”

The message – shared by Dr. Erna Nadia – continues: “(Translation) The whole class was shocked, suddenly she screamed like that. The teacher immediately called the student’s parents and immediately the student was sent to the hospital.

“Total blindness. Loss of vision in both eyes.”

And various tests then revealed the cause of the vision loss: vitamin A deficiency.

The doctor explained that it was discovered that the child’s diet consisted of “only processed foods” such as “nuggets, sausages and biscuits”.

In fact, the Cleveland Clinic explains: “Vitamin A deficiency occurs when your body lacks the amount of vitamin A it needs to function properly. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to vision loss and blindness. It can also cause complications in the skin, heart, lungs, tissues and immune system.

Specifically when it comes to the eyes, “vitamin A is vital for your vision,” with your eyes needing “to make specific pigments for your retinas to function properly.”

“Your eyes also need vitamin A to produce moisture to keep your corneas properly lubricated. If your corneas become too dry, they can become damaged, which can lead to blindness,” adds the Cleveland Clinic.

The doctor noted that “blindness is irremediable” before continuing: “When my friend shared this story, I started to feel angry because of how interesting it is to be parents, but it’s bad as that, but after a while, when I look at our lives who are always busy living a comfortable life, I feel sorry for them.

“(…) As a mother, if we can’t cook, it’s always because we are busy, but we try to buy the right food that is complete.”

The doctor noted that she is not “sharing” the story to “condemn anyone,” but as a “reminder,” even to herself, as she also doesn’t “cook every day.”

But how can you ensure your diet contains enough vitamin A?

Well, the Cleveland Clinic advises eating green vegetables like broccoli, as well as orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, liver, beef and chicken, salmon, eggs and dairy products.

And if necessary, you can always take supplements.