Abstract
This study investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES) refractory to conventional treatment with vitamin D deficiency. A total of 105 patients with DES refractory to conventional treatment and vitamin D deficiency that was treated with an intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol (200,000 IU). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured. Eye discomfort was assessed using ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and visual analogue pain score (VAS). Tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining score (FSS), eyelid margin hyperemia, and tear secretion test were measured before treatment, and 2, 6, and 10 weeks after vitamin D supplementation. Mean serum 25(OH)D level was 10.52 ± 4.61 ng/mL. TBUT, and tear secretion test showed an improvement at 2 and 6 weeks after vitamin D supplementation compared to pretreatment values (p < 0.05 for all, paired t-test). Eyelid margin hyperemia and the severity of symptoms showed improvement at 2, 6, and 10 weeks after vitamin D supplementation (p < 0.05 for all). Compared to pre-treatment values, FSS, OSDI and VAS were decreased at 2 weeks (p < 0.05 for all). In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation is effective and useful in the treatment of patients with DES refractory to conventional treatment and with vitamin D deficiency.
Highlights
Treatment for dry eye syndrome (DES) includes the use of artificial tears, anti-inflammatory drugs, autologous serum, and punctal occlusion[13]
We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the tear film and symptoms in the patients with DES that was refractory to conventional treatment
A total of 105 patients were included in the study (Table 1)
Summary
Treatment for DES includes the use of artificial tears, anti-inflammatory drugs, autologous serum, and punctal occlusion[13]. Artificial tears provide palliative relief of eye irritation in patients with aqueous tear deficiency, but do not treat the underlying inflammation or reverse conjunctival squamous metaplasia in chronic DES14. Conventional treatments using topical drugs and punctal occlusion are not effective in the treatment of chronic ocular pain in some patients with DES15. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to be a contributory factor in DES16,17. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on DES has not been reported. We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the tear film and symptoms in the patients with DES that was refractory to conventional treatment
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