Hi, Huimei here. I shall continue from the video above, posted by Serene. Did you know that there's an amino acid called serine?? I realised it while looking at the spelling list we had from bio class. Anyway, I digress, back to the subject............

Just how cool is that ? Apparently he was also featured on the Ellen Degeneres show, and the video of that episode got posted on youtube to boot. Go here to watch it.

But the sad truth is, his case is one in a million. Not all blind people have amazing abilities to make up for their lack of vision. Except maybe Stevie Wonder, and the busker who plays the keyboard and harmonica simultaneously at the Orchard Road underground, but once again, I digress. Back to the subject.

Up to 500 thousand children are blinded each year by a condition called Xerophthalmia (zee-rof-thal-mia),

an abnormal dryness of the eyeball, caused by a deficiency of tears and which is mainly attributed to the deficiency of Vitamin A.Vitamin A can generally be found as retinol esters in dairy products such as milk and eggs, and pro-Vitamin A carotenoids in plants such as spinach and carrots.

Xerophthalmia can also be associated with other diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and hypothyroidism, which all stem from a lack of vitamin A. The use of certain medications such as antihistamines, nasal decongestants, tranquilizers, and anti-depressant drugs can also contribute to it.

Coke is actually a mild antihistamine!:D

Xerophthalmia can actually be treated with over-the-counter eyedrops, by installing humidifiers in the house,wearing wrap around goggles and avoiding dry and windy weather AT ALL COSTS . As long as it is detected in the early stages, it can be treated .As Xerophthalmia starts as night blindness before progressing to 24 hour blindness, treatment must be sought before total blindness sets in. If left for too long, the condition becomes irreversible.

I remember when I was little, my parents would force me to eat carrots until I was certain my nose would turn orange, because " Eating carrots gives you good eyesight!! "

I guess they werent so wrong after all.