Evaluation of Cornea and Tear film in Patients with Vitamin-D Deficiency

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate cornea and tear film in patients with vitamin-D deficiency and to compare them with age-and gender-matched healthy subjects.

Methods: 50 subjects who passed the selection criteria were included in this analytical cross-sectional study (25 subjects having vitamin D deficiency in the test group and 25 healthy age matched, gender matched subjects in the control group). All subjects underwent a comprehensive eye examination according to the preset case recording form after obtaining a written consent from them. CCT was measures using a non-contact optical biometer, TBUT was measured using the fluorescein break-up technique with a slit-lamp under cobalt-blue filter using a wide beam and Schirmer’s tests by the standard procedure of both the eyes were performed.

Results: mean CCT values for right eyes were 504.80±29.03μm in the test group and 512.80±20.3 μm in the control group (p=0.174) and for left eyes were 505.20±32.16 μm in the test group and 519.60±18.14 μm in the control group (p=0.063). Mean TBUT was significantly different within the two groups i.e. 8.76±1.27 sec in the test group and 10.72±1.24 sec in the control group for right eyes (p=<0.001) and 9.4±1.66 sec in the test group and 11.00±1.32 sec in the control groups for left eyes (p=0.001). Mean values for Schirmer’s test were significantly different within the two groups i.e. for the right eyes it was 10.2±2.42mm in the test group while in the control group it was 16.20±3.03mm (p=<0.001) and for the left eyes it was 10.68±2.08mm in the test group and 16.72±2.89mm in the control group (p=<0.001).

Conclusion: ocular evaluation in patients with vitamin D deficiency with special emphasis on examining the tear film to look for any sign of dry eye disease is important and should not be overlooked in their clinical follow-up.

Note:
Funding Information: None to declare.

Conflict of Interests: None to declare.

Ethical Approval: All the procedures were carried out in consonance with the principles mentioned in the Declaration of Helsinki and Approved by the Ethical Committee of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University Medical College, Pune.

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, tear film, central corneal thickness, dry eyes

JEL Classification: I1