The second-grader's poor eating habits left him severely malnourished
An 8-year-old Malaysian boy lost his eyesight permanently because of his “fussy dietary habits,” which caused a severe deficiency of vitamin A in his body. According to doctors, when the boy complained of not being able to see anything, he was rushed to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, where an investigation revealed his optic nerves were affected.
Local news reports say that the second-grader's poor eating habits left him severely malnourished as he only consumed processed foods like chicken nuggets, sausages, and cookies ever since he was a baby, leading to an extreme deficiency of Vitamin A.
Studies say vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin naturally present in many foods—important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. It also helps your heart, lungs, and other organs work properly.
In the Malaysian child’s case, doctors say the damage to his eyes is irreversible.
Why is Vitamin A important?
Vitamin A compounds are found in both animal and plant foods and come in two different forms: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A. According to studies, preformed vitamin A is also known as the active form of the vitamin, which your body can use just as it is.
It is found in animal products like meat, chicken, fish, and dairy and includes the compounds retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid – all of which are used by your body to regulate different functions.
How does vitamin A affect your eyesight?
Doctors say vitamin A is essential for preserving your eyesight as it helps convert the light that hits your eye into an electrical signal that can be sent to your brain. One of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness, also known as nyctalopia.
Healthline says rhodopsin is found in the retina of your eye and is extremely sensitive to light. Those who have this condition can still see normally during the day but will have reduced vision in darkness as their eyes struggle to pick up light at lower levels. Apart from preventing night blindness, eating adequate amounts of beta-carotene also slows the decline in eyesight that some people experience as they age.
Other health benefits of vitamin A
Apart from helping with your vision, a few other benefits of vitamin A include:
Help lower the risk of cancers
Doctors say cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow or divide in an uncontrolled way. Vitamin A plays an extremely important role in the growth and development of your cells, preventing the risk of certain types of cancer like Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as cervical, lung, and bladder cancer.
Strengthens immune system
Vitamin A also plays a crucial role in maintaining your body’s natural defences including the mucous barriers in your eyes, lungs, gut, and genitals, which help trap bacteria and other infectious agents. It is also involved in the production and function of white blood cells, which help clear bacteria and other pathogens from your bloodstream, reducing their susceptibility and strengthening immunity.
Supports bone health
Vitamin A is crucial in maintaining your bone health as you age. Studies say those with lower blood levels of vitamin A are at a higher risk of bone fractures than people with healthy levels.
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