This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have made a startling discovery: a diet of junk food can lead to blindness if not detected early. The finding, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in August 2019, highlights the importance of a balanced diet in maintaining good health.
A teenage patient, who was initially diagnosed with tiredness, was found to have a vitamin B12 deficiency, low copper and selenium levels, and a high zinc level. The patient's diet consisted mainly of chips, crisps, white bread, and processed pork, which led to the onset of nutritional optic neuropathy.
According to Dr. Denize Atan, the study's lead author, 'Our vision has such an impact on quality of life, education, employment, social interactions, and mental health.' The team recommends that dietary history should be part of any routine clinical examination to avoid missing or delaying a diagnosis of nutritional optic neuropathy.
Nutritional optic neuropathy is a reversible condition if caught early, but left untreated, it can lead to permanent structural damage to the optic nerve and blindness. The condition is more common in developed countries, where the most common causes are bowel problems or drugs that interfere with nutrient absorption.
Deficiencies of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, iron, calcium, magnesium, and copper can all cause optic neuropathy, and are easily misdiagnosed without an adequate dietary history.
