New review investigates the efficacy of vitamin D in dry eye disease
Authored by: Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, MS, CNS, LDN
Vitamin D has been extensively studied for bone health, cancer as well as its anti-inflammatory benefits and its role in modulating the immune system. It also may play an essential role in eye health related to its role in inflammation.
According to a review published last week in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, researchers compared the signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye disease before and after vitamin D supplementation.
This review included 8 studies published up until January 2023 consisting of 439 patients with dry eye disease (DED) on the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on DED. Vitamin D supplementation was given either daily at 1000 IU or 2000 IU or weekly at 50,000 IU. In addition, there were also two studies that just gave one dose of vitamin D supplementation at 200,000 IU. The analysis demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation improved tear production and tear film stability as well as reduced lid hyperemia, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI), which is effective in mitigating symptoms of dry eye disease.
As a result, vitamin D supplementation could be an adjunctive treatment to mitigate the signs and symptoms of dry eye. It is ideal to give vitamin D daily at 5,000 IU to 10,000 IU daily based upon vitamin D blood levels along with vitamin K as these fat-soluble vitamins have strong interrelationships with one another and should not just provide high dose vitamin D supplementation alone.
There are numerous other benefits of fish oils for eye health and overall health. They provide neuroprotective benefits to the sensory peripheral nerves in the cornea and function of the retina, which are associated with glaucoma and dry eye syndrome. Other nutrients and antioxidants to support eye health include vitamin A, C, D, E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
