Yes, it can happen, even in developed countries. Recently, many couldn’t believe it when they read the story of a 17-year-old boy who was legally blind due to a poor diet. One can’t help but ask, “Is this true?”
Yes, says Andrew G. Lee, MD, a neuroophthalmologist at the Blanton Eye Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital.
“Dietary deficiencies are rare in developed countries because nutritious foods are readily available, and our food contains vitamin fortification,” Dr. Lee said. “But it can occur in patients who are medically malnourished (such as chronic alcoholism), who are vegan, who have had gastrointestinal surgery (such as bariatric surgery), or who have an eating disorder (such as anorexia nervosa).”
The teenager’s parents first took him to the doctor because he had been complaining of being tired. He was a “picky eater,” but tests showed average weight and no apparent signs of malnutrition. He was prescribed vitamin B12 injections because blood tests showed he was anemic and had low vitamin B12 levels.
Within a year, he had lost his hearing and sight. Unfortunately, he lost sight before his complaint’s real cause was revealed. After years of eating only potato chips, French fries, white bread, and processed pork, he suffered from retinal hunger. Doctors concluded that his “fussy diet” had led to a B12 deficiency, low levels of vitamin D, copper, and selenium, high levels of zinc, reduced bone density, and severe optic neuropathy, which caused him to lose his vision.
“This case shows that you can go blind not only from what you eat (say, toxic optic neuropathy from drinking ‘moonlight’ (methanol) or eating products contaminated with lead, mercury, or arsenic) but also from what you don’t eat,” Dr. Lee said.
Doctors have long known that good nutrition suits your entire body, including your eyes. Be sure to include these five things in your diet to promote healthy vision:
Green leafy vegetables. Kale and spinach are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Other vegetables with high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin include romaine lettuce, kale, turnips, broccoli, and peas.
Citrus fruits. Oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, and lemons are rich in vitamin C, an essential antioxidant for eye health. Many other foods contain vitamin C, including peaches, red peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries.
Beans. All types of beans, including black-eyed beans, kidney beans, and Lima beans, contain zinc. This essential trace mineral is found in high amounts in the eyes. Other zinc-rich foods include oysters, lean meats, poultry, and fortified grains.
Cold water fish. Research suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish may help reduce the risk of eye disease later in life. These fish include salmon, tuna, sardines, and halibut.
Orange vegetables and fruits. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a nutrient that helps with night vision, as are other orange fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, apricots, and cantaloupe.
