Parents of Picky Eaters: Teenage Boy Declared Blind From Diet of Fries, Chips, White Bread & Sausages by Joy Stephenson-Laws JD [inactive]

According to a recent Newsweek report, a teenage boy went blind after eating a diet of only fries, chips, white bread, sausages and ham. These foods comprised his entire diet since elementary school. He was described as a “fussy eater.”

But perhaps what’s most shocking about the story of this boy is that he went blind despite not showing visible signs of malnutrition. He, “... had developed normally and had an average height, weight and BMI,” according to his doctor.

The boy was 14 years old when he was first evaluated. “By the age of 15, his hearing and vision had started to fade. An MRI scan revealed he had no structural problems with his ears, while an eye test similarly failed to reveal any structural cause.” 

His vision continued to get worse, and by age 17 doctors discovered he suffered damage to his optic nerve. Located at the back of the eye, the optic nerve connects to the brain and sends light signals to the brain, helping us see.

Doctors determined the boy had 20/200 vision, which is considered legally blind. In addition to being deficient in vitamin B12, he was also deficient in copper, selenium and vitamin D, which is thought to have caused him to have weak bones, according to the Newsweek article. 

The story of this young man should really be a wake-up call to all parents. If you notice your child is a "picky eater," address this right away. Don’t assume that your child will grow out of it. Involve your children in meal prepping and take them to the farmers’ market so that they can become interested and motivated to eat a variety of healthy, natural foods.

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