Effect of oral vitamin D supplementation on dry eye disease patients with vitamin D deficiency

ABSTACT Background This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of oral vitamin D supplementation in dry eye disease patients with vitamin D deficiency. Methods A randomized, controlled study was completed in 100 patients with dry eye disease and concurrent vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml). Participants were randomly allocated to 8 weeks of oral vitamin D supplementation with both groups receiving conventional dry eye treatment with artificial tears. Schirmer's, tear break-up time (TBUT) and osmolarity tests were measured before and after eight weeks of treatment. Results The mean age of participants was 36.8 +/- 8.56 years in the treatment group (n: 50) and 34.8 +/- 10.13 year in the control group (n: 50). After eight weeks of treatment the mean differences in Schirmer's, TBUT and tear osmolarity were 2.38 +/- 1.55 mm, 3.95 +/- 1.48 s and -16.9 +/- 6.28 mOsm/L, respectively in the treatment group, and 0.7 +/- 0.86 mm, 0.92 +/- 1.57s and -3.34 +/- 2.0 mOsm/L respectively in the control group (p < 0.001 for all parameters). The treatment group demonstrated a more significant improvement than the control group in Schirmers, TBUT and osmolarity values (p < 0.001). Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant to routine dry eye treatment improves ocular surface hemostasis parameters, results in better tear stability and a more improved tear osmolarity in patients with vitamin D deficiency.