Doctors diagnosed the boy with severe vitamin A deficiency, a condition that, while rare in developed countries, remains one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide. In this case, the deficiency led to optic atrophy – irreversible damage to the optic nerve that causes permanent vision loss.

Dr. Erna Nadia, a well-known Malaysian physician with a strong social media presence, shared the case on Facebook to raise awareness. “As a mother, I understand it’s not always easy to prepare nutritious meals when you’re busy. Pity for the parents of this student – it’s not easy for them to accept,” she wrote.

Warning Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency

The Daily Mail reports that Dr. Nadia urged other parents to watch for early symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, which can include:

• Dry eyes
• Trouble seeing in low light
• Gray spots