An 8-year-old boy in Malaysia has gone permanently blind due to a severe vitamin A deficiency caused by a poor diet of mostly chicken nuggets, sausages, and cookies. His condition was discovered when he told a teacher he couldn’t see. Doctors diagnosed him with optic atrophy, an irreversible condition linked to the deficiency.
Dr. Erna Nadia shared the case online to raise awareness, urging parents to watch for early signs like dry eyes, night blindness, and difficulty producing tears.
Vitamin A is vital for vision and immunity. To prevent deficiency, include foods like leafy greens, orange vegetables, fruits, dairy, eggs, meat, and fortified products. In some regions, supplements may be needed. Globally, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness.