Years ago, Vitamin D was thought of only as the vitamin that prevents rickets. In the last 15 years, however, scientists have discovered that Vitamin D leads not only to problems with bones and muscles but also plays a role in cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive disorders, and autoimmune diseases. In fact, vitamin D deficiency is considered a global public health problem.
Researchers have now turned to the role of the vitamin in eye health. According to Dr. Rose Reins, vitamin D may play a protective role in eye surface infection and inflammation.
And, most important for the many people who suffer from dry eye symptoms – Vitamin D may be effective in the treatment of chronic dry eye disease.
The study by Dr. Reins and her co-researcher Dr. Allison McDermott, both of the Ocular Surface Institute at the University of Houston College of Optometry, was featured in the September issue of Primary Care Optometry News.
Dr. Reins and Dr. McDermott have been studying the impact of vitamin D deficiency with mice in the lab, they now have enough material to move forward with clinical studies in humans. They expect to find significant differences in the presence of Vitamin D in the tears of dry eye patients vs. normal patients.
Ophthalmologist Thomas Henderson, M.D. of Eye Clinic of Austin has believed for many years that vitamins have a role in eye health and that vitamin deficiency affects the progression of several eye diseases. At your next appointment, ask about his interest in vitamins and eye health, he may recommend which vitamins might be helpful for your own eyes.
If you haven’t asked your own ophthalmologist or optometrist about the impact vitamins might have on your eyes, your annual check up this year would be a good time to do so.