Serum Vitamin D & Dry Eye Syndrome

Introduction: Dry eye syndrome [DES] is one of the commonest ocular disorders characterized by tear film instability, visual discomfort & disturbance with ocular surface inflammation potentially leading to damage to the ocular surface. Serum Vitamin-D deficiency has been reported to be associated with DES.

Aim: To determine the Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D levels in patients diagnosed as having DES.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study and included in our study, serum vitamin D levels of the first 40 patients over the age of 18 years presenting with signs and symptoms and later diagnosed to have DES [confirmed with ocular surface disease index-OSDI questionnaire, Schirmer I test, kerato-epitheliopathy examination and tear-film breakup time-[TBUT] were analysed.

Results: Schirmer's I test, interpreted as mild [11-15mm/5min], moderate [6-10 mm/5 min] and severe [<5mm/5min] had 8, 17 and 15 patients, respectively, with a mean value of 8 mm/5 min Schirmers I test. The minimum and maximum of Fluorescein TBUT measured in seconds was 4 and 10 seconds, respectively, with a mean of 6.2 seconds. Twenty four of our test subjects were found to have deficient Serum Vit 25[OH] D levels, nine had insufficient levels and seven had normal levels.

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patient having DES.