Association of Vitamin D deficiency with Dry Eye syndrome

Amber Khalid

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 8^th and 12^th 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 12^th 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.