A Boy Ate 75 Chicken Nuggets Everyday For 7 Years. This Is What Happened To His Eyes.

Summary

A 15-year-old boy, MN, developed severe vision loss after eating only chicken nuggets for years, coupled with candy, sugary drinks, and a lack of essential nutrients. Initially, doctors found no clear cause, but after a thorough investigation, they determined that MN's blindness was due to a severe nutritional deficiency, particularly in Vitamin A, copper, and zinc. Despite treatment with various vitamins and nutrients, the damage to his optic nerve was irreversible, leaving him legally blind. This case highlights the risks of extreme selective eating and the importance of a balanced diet for health.

Takeaways

• 😀 MN, a 15-year-old boy, began experiencing vision problems that worsened over several months.
• 😀 Despite visits to the eye doctor and normal exams, MN's vision continued to deteriorate, eventually leading to blindness.
• 😀 MN's diet consisted mainly of 75 chicken nuggets per day, candy gummies, cheap chocolate, and sugary juice, resulting in a severe nutritional deficiency.
• 😀 MN’s inability to see clearly was linked to damage in his optic nerve, likely caused by a lack of essential vitamins and minerals.
• 😀 An MRI showed potential damage to the optic nerve, but there were no signs of a brain mass or traumatic injury.
• 😀 The medical team ruled out toxins, infections, and genetic conditions, narrowing the cause down to nutritional deficiencies.
• 😀 MN’s blood test revealed a Vitamin K deficiency, which pointed to a lack of essential nutrients needed for proper eye health.
• 😀 The case highlighted how extreme selective eating, especially a diet lacking key nutrients, can lead to irreversible health problems.
• 😀 MN’s diet lacked important nutrients like Vitamin A, Copper, Zinc, and Vitamin B12, all crucial for eye and nerve health.
• 😀 Despite being treated with supplements to restore his nutrient levels, MN's vision loss could not be reversed, and he was declared legally blind.
• 😀 This case serves as a reminder that a balanced diet is vital for health, particularly during adolescence when the body is still developing.

Q & A

What were the first signs that something was wrong with MN's health?

MN began noticing his vision was getting worse about two months before his emergency room visit. He experienced a gradual loss of vision each morning, with things improving as the day went on but worsening again at night.

How did the doctors initially assess MN's eye health?

The eye doctor found no immediate issues with MN's eyes. All objective measures appeared normal, and MN was sent home with a recommendation for a follow-up appointment next year.

What role did MN’s diet play in his condition?

MN's selective eating habits, where he only consumed chicken nuggets, candy gummies, and sugary drinks, contributed to his severe nutritional deficiencies, which led to his vision problems. This poor diet lacked essential vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin A, B12, Copper, and Zinc.

Why was MN’s vision affected even though light passed through his eyes?

The light passed through MN’s eyes, meaning the issue wasn't in the front parts of his eyes. His problem was either with his retina, where light is transformed into an electrical signal, or with his optic nerve, preventing the signal from reaching his brain.

What tests were conducted to determine the cause of MN’s vision loss?

An MRI of MN's head revealed potential issues with his optic nerve, but no immediate masses or brain damage were detected. Blood tests indicated a delay in blood clotting, suggesting possible vitamin deficiencies.

What are the potential causes of optic nerve and retina problems?

Common causes include autoimmune diseases, infections, genetic disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. In MN's case, his restrictive diet pointed to a nutritional deficiency as the root cause of his optic neuropathy.

What specific nutrient deficiencies can lead to vision problems?

Deficiencies in Vitamin A, B12, Copper, and Zinc can lead to vision problems, particularly in the retina and optic nerve. These nutrients are essential for maintaining eye health and the process of converting light into electrical signals.

Why did MN’s restrictive diet lead to such severe vision damage?

MN’s diet, consisting primarily of chicken nuggets and sugary foods, lacked essential vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin A, which is crucial for retinal function. Over time, this led to irreversible damage to his optic nerve and retina, resulting in legal blindness.

What treatment was given to MN once his nutritional deficiencies were identified?

MN was treated with a combination of essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, K, as well as Copper and Zinc. Over time, his nutrient levels returned to normal.

Why couldn’t MN’s vision be restored, even after his nutritional deficiencies were corrected?

The damage to MN’s optic nerve and retina was so severe and advanced by the time he received treatment that it could not be reversed. Despite his improved nutritional status, the vision loss remained permanent, and he was deemed legally blind.