A study of the association between Vitamin D deficiency and Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) in the Indian population

Purpose: A study of the association between vitamin D deficiency and dry eye syndrome (DES) in the Indian population. Methods: This was a cross?sectional, hospital?based observational study. Sixty patients diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/dl) who met the inclusion criteria were sent to the Eye OPD from the Endocrinology OPD (case) were compared to 60 subjects with normal vitamin D levels (?20 ng/dl) who attended the Eye OPD (controls). The examination of the tear film was done using Whatman filter paper in Schirmer test I and Schirmer test I (with anesthesia). The tear film break?up time (TFBUT) was determined by slit?lamp examination using the fluorescein stain, and scoring using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was done. Results: A significant difference in the mean values of Schirmer I and Schirmer I test (with anesthesia) (P < 0.001) was seen between the case and control groups. A significant difference in the mean values of TFBUT (P < 0.001) and OSDI scores (P < 0.01) was also seen between the two groups. Conclusion: A positive association was found between vitamin D deficiency and dry eye on comparing the above parameters.