While studies have examined the association between vitamin D and dry eye disease (DED), findings have been inconclusive. Now, a systematic literature review recently found that DED patients had significantly lower serum vitamin D levels, which correlated with their Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores.

A team of researchers collated studies that analyzed the association between vitamin D and DED and assessed the quality of each. Although the studies were all significantly heterogeneous, 14 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review and meta-analysis.

The investigators observed lower amounts of D3 in DED patients compared with healthy controls. They noted that the correlation between vitamin D and OSDI was significant.

“The findings add to the existing literature supporting the concept that nutrition, especially vitamin D, plays an important role in human eye health,” the study authors concluded in their paper. “Prospective studies are needed to confirm this relationship.”