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 or shadows on the whites of the eyes
• Difficulty producing tears

How to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency

According to the Cleveland Clinic, vitamin A is essential for healthy vision and overall immune function. To avoid deficiency, diets should include:

• Leafy green vegetables and broccoli
• Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other orange/yellow vegetables
• Mangoes, oranges, cantaloupe, and papayas
• Eggs, dairy products, liver, beef, and chicken
• Fortified foods like cereal, rice, wheat, and soybeans
• Fatty fish such as salmon

In some cases, especially in developing countries, vitamin A supplements may be necessary – particularly for infants, young children, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

While vitamin A deficiency is uncommon in places like the U.S., its impact globally is severe. The World Health Organization reports it as the leading cause of preventable blindness in children around the world.

This case echoes a similar incident reported by the iDaily Mail n October last year, where a 12-year-old boy from Massachusetts also lost his sight due to a nutrient-poor diet.