An examination of retinal findings with optical coherence tomography in hypothyroidism patients with vitamin D deficiency: A comparative study

Abstract

<b>Aim: </b>This study aimed to examine the retinal layer before and after treatment in patients with hypothyroidism with vitamin D deficiency, since the vitamin also protects the retinal cells against inflammatory damage.<br /> <b>Material and methods: </b>The free T3, free T4, and vitamin D levels of 104 patients with no ocular disease were first measured. Ophthalmological examinations of these patients, who were divided into three groups, were performed by specialist ophthalmologists, while retinal findings were examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and recorded. The first group was given vitamin D for three months, the second levothyroxine, and the third vitamin D + levothyroxine. After three months repeat OCT was performed, and the results were compared with the previous values.<br /> <b>Results:</b> The thickness of the left inner nuclear cell layer of the patients in the vitamin D group increased significantly compared to pre-treatment. Post-treatment right central macular thickness, right nerve fiber layer, right outer nuclear cell layer, right pigment epithelial layer, left central macular, and left inner nuclear cell layer thicknesses were all significantly higher compared to pre-treatment in the patients in the levothyroxine + vitamin D group, while right outer retinal layer and left retinal nerve fiber thicknesses decreased (p<0.05).<br /> <b>Conclusion:</b> A greater increase in cell layer thickness was observed in the group using vitamin D and levothyroxine together compared to those in which vitamin D and levothyroxine were employed alone. However, further studies on the effect of vitamin D on retinal cell development and protection against injury are now needed.