Vitamin D deficiency and your eyes - Here is what you need to know
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient required by the body to carry out bodily functions. Deficiency of the same can lead to damage to the body due to certain dysfunctions being caused due to the same. It can give rise to issues related to cardiovascular health, bone health, and brain health. Several diseases have been associated with the deficiency of vitamin D. Some common diseases include asthma, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, dementia and even cancer. Eye health also depends on the holistic wellness of the body. Any disruption to the body will also affect the eyes.
Vitamin D and eyes
Just like any other body organ, the eyes also need to be looked after. When talking about nutrient deficiencies, the eyes can suffer serious damage if not enriched with enough nutrients. Deficiency of vitamin D can cause the following eye dysfunctions:
- Macular degeneration
- Dry eye syndrome
- Uveitis
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that results in vision loss over a period of time due to the deterioration of eye health due to factors such as ageing and nutrient deficiency. The condition arises when macula or the central portion of the retina deteriorated over time and eventually wears down.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Just like the name suggests, the dry eye syndrome is a condition in which there is insufficient production of tears from the eyes. This can be extremely harmful to the eyes as it can result in no layer of covering over the eyes which can make it prone to inflammation and scarring on the cornea. The symptoms of this condition include redness of eyes, pain, blurry vision and a burning sensation. The common causes of the dry eye syndrome include ageing, allergies and eye fatigue. According to the study reported in PubMed Central, called "Dry eye in vitamin D deficiency: more than an incidental association​", it was shown that vitamin D deficiency could be a cause of dry eye as well.
What is uveitis?
Uveitis is an eye condition in which the uvea or the tissue located in the eyewall goes through inflammation. The common symptoms include pain, redness of eyes and blurred vision. If not treated on time, this condition can cause permanent damage to eyes and vision loss.