Association of Vitamin D deficiency with Dry Eye syndrome

Amber Khalid

  • Amber Khalid Department of Ophthalmology Ziauddin Hospital Karachi

Abstract

Objective

To find out the association of dry eye syndrome with vitamin D deficiency.

Study design

Cross sectional study.

Place & Duration of study

Department of Ophthalmology, Ziauddin Hospital Karachi, from September 2020 to May 2021.

Methodology

Patients of dry eye with vitamin D deficiency were included in this study. They were evaluated for dry eye symptoms. These patients were provided treatment and followed up in outpatient department at 8th and 12th weeks. The outcome was analyzed in terms of serum vitamin D level, Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI) score, tear breakup time (TBUT), Schrimer’s 1 test to check the basic and reflex tearing, and Fluorescein Staining Score (FSS).

Results

Seventy-four patients with vitamin D deficiency and dry eye were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 29.3±8.4 year. The mean serum 25(OH)D level before treatment was 12.48±4.53 ng/mL, which at the 12th week of treatment improved to 36.54±8.34 ng/mL (0.016). The mean pretreatment TBUT was 5.07±1.52 seconds and improved to 11.36±3.14 seconds (0.0006). This was statistically significant.

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is a significant risk factor for dry eye syndrome. Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D is helpful in reducing the ocular inflammation and improving the tear film stability.

Key words

Vitamin D deficiency, Dry eye syndrome, Vitamin D supplements.

Published
2022-02-04