Clinical outcomes of ocular surface in patients treated with vitamin D oral replacement.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical outcomes of the ocular surface in patients with vitamin D deficiency after oral replacement. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with vitamin D deficiency were enrolled in the study. The patients received 50,000 units of oral vitamin D weekly over a period of 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, 1,500-2,000 units/d were administered for 24 weeks. Eyelid margin score, meibomian gland expressibility score, Oxford grading, Schirmer I test, tear breakup time, tear osmolarity, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index score were evaluated at baseline, and at 8, 12, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: The meibomian gland expressibility score, Schirmer I, tear breakup time, tear osmolarity, and Ocular Surface Disease Index score showed improvement 8 weeks after vitamin D supplementation (p<0.05). Compared with the pretreatment values, the eyelid margin score and Oxford grading were decreased at week 12 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D replacement appears to improve ocular surface in individuals with vitamin D deficiency.