Effect of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Vitamin D Levels on Dry Eye Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the association between a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MeDi) and Vitamin D levels on dry eye syndrome (DES) Methods Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Male patients seen in the Miami Veterans Affairs eye clinic with normal eyelid, corneal, and conjunctival anatomy were recruited to participate in the study. Testing Patients filled out the 2005 Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 (DEQ5) and underwent measurement of tear film parameters. Serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D was also measured. Main outcome measures Association between MeDi, Vitamin D levels and dry eye syndrome. Results 247 men underwent DES testing. The mean patient age was 69 years (range 55 to 95). Using latent class analysis (LCA) to categorize the presence/absence of disease and quantify its severity, we found that adherence to the MeDi was positively associated with the risk both of having DES (odd ratio (OR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.47) p=0.007) and with increasing disease severity. Vitamin D levels were not significantly associated with presence or severity of disease. However, higher levels of vitamin D were associated with decreased DES symptoms, with a −1.24 decrease in median DEQ5 score for every 10 unit increase in Vitamin D levels (p=0.01). Conclusions Adherence to the MeDi was not associated with a beneficial effect on DES. Higher vitamin D levels had a small, but favorable effect on DES symptoms.

The association of vitamin D deficiency with tear break-up time and Schirmer testing in non-Sjögren dry eye

“…A small but favorable effect of higher vitamin D levels on DES symptoms was mentioned in another study. 23 Owing to the antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory properties of vitamin D, its deficiency may cause dryness of the eyes, which is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition. The relation between vitamin D deficiency and Ss was shown in previous studies.…”

The Relationship Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Ocular Surface Clinical Parameters in Patients with Non-Sjögren Dry Eye

“…22 Galor et al mentioned the small but favorable effect of higher vitamin D levels on dry eye symptoms. 23 The relation between vitamin D deficiency and Ss was shown in previous studies. [1][2][3][4] AgmonLevin et al emphasized that low levels of vitamin-D correlated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy and lymphoma among PSs patients in their study.…”

Vitamin D in Dry Eye and Myopia

“…Although it has been suggested that the severity of dry eye was not associated with vitamin D levels (Galor et al, 2014), it has been reported that dry eye symptoms (assessed with DEQ5) were reduced when vitamin D levels were higher (Galor et al, 2014). Kurtul and the colleague (2015a) assessed the association between human's serum vitamin D and dry eye measurements using TBUT and Schirmer test, they found the dry eye measurements were reduced in people with vitamin D deficiency.…”

“…Insufficient or deficient vitamin D level has been linked to myopia (Choi et al, 2014;Mutti & Marks, 2011), dry eye disease (Galor et al, 2014) and age related macular degeneration (Millen et al, 2011). A study of the impact of vitamin D supplements on the eye's intraocular pressure (IOP) reported no differences before and after treatment (Krefting et al, 2013).…”

“…Few foods naturally containing vitamin D can be another contributing factor Lamberg-Allardt, 2006). Insufficient or deficient vitamin D level has been linked to myopia (Choi et al, 2014;Mutti & Marks, 2011), dry eye disease (Galor et al, 2014) and age related macular degeneration (Millen et al, 2011). The main hypotheses were:…”