Retinal Changes in Vitamin D Deficiency

The study of the relationship between vitamin D status and retinal diseases is a new concept, and there is a large gap in research focusing on the pediatric population in the literature. The importance of vitamin D in retinal maturation and its role in the development of retinal diseases at a young age is being investigated. In this sense, as far as known, it is the first study investigating retinal structure parameters in pediatric patients with vitamin D deficiency.

Inclusion criteria

(Group 1):

• age <18 years old
• serum vitamin D [(25(OH) D), calcitriol] level <20 ngr/mL in previous two weeks
• visual acuity >20/20
• manifest refraction spherical equivalent <3D
• normal biomicroscopic and fundus examination.

Exclusion criteria

• history of any chronic ocular diseases, except for refractive error (e.g., uveitis, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity)
• history of ocular surgery (e.g., cataract, strabismus, open globe injury, laser photocoagulation)
• having an ocular abnormality (e.g., persistent fetal vasculature, optic disc hypoplasia, fovea plana)
• history of systemic diseases that have the potential to affect ocular tissues (e.g., diabetes mellitus, Graves' disease, albinism, Down syndrome, Fabry diseases, Wilson syndrome)
• history of any systemic diseases that can affect the serum vitamin D level (e.g., parathormone or calcium metabolism disorders)
• already receiving vitamin D treatment.