Reconsidering the connection between vitamin D levels and age-related macular degeneration

Recent evidence has suggested a correlation between reduced vitamin D levels and delayed angiogenesis and reduced inflammatory response, which are known to have a major role in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Cross-sectional study.

Members of the Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS, one of the four largest Israeli Health Maintenance Organization) aged ≥60 years, whose vitamin D levels were taken as part of routine examinations between 2000 and 2008.

All data for this study were obtained from MHS databases that include medical information on 1.8 million subscribers.

Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels.

The total study population comprised of 1045 members diagnosed as having AMD, and 8124 as non-AMD, for whom there was information on vitamin D levels. The mean±SD level of 25-OH vitamin D was 24.1±9.41  ng/ml (range 0.8-120) for the AMD patients and 24.13±9.50  ng/ml (range 0.0-120) for the controls (P=ns). One-third (33.6%) of the AMD patients and 32.86% of the controls had a 25-OH vitamin D level <16  ng/ml, and the proportions of tests in which the 25-OH vitamin D level was >74  ng/ml were 0.19 and 0.14%, respectively (P=ns).

No association was detected between vitamin D levels and the presence of AMD in this cross-sectional study. These results raise some doubt about an association between reduced vitamin D levels and the prevalence of AMD.