Vitamin D and eye: Current evidence and practice guidelines.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Immunology

Background:

• Vitamin D is a crucial steroid hormone regulating calcium homeostasis, immunomodulation, and cell functions.
• Its immunomodulatory effects extend to ocular surface cells, impacting eye health.
• Ocular surface conditions like dry eye disease (DED) and keratoconus (KC) are increasingly linked to vitamin D levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of vitamin D in ocular surface conditions, specifically DED and post-refractive surgery outcomes.
• To highlight vitamin D's potential in managing DED and KC through its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.
• To guide clinical approaches integrating vitamin D modulation with standard care for ocular surface diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on vitamin D's physiological roles and its impact on ocular surface health.
• Analysis of clinical and experimental data regarding vitamin D supplementation in DED.
• Examination of vitamin D's mechanisms in corneal wound healing and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D supplementation demonstrates clinical benefits in managing DED.
• The anti-inflammatory and extracellular matrix remodeling properties of vitamin D are vital for corneal wound healing.
• Vitamin D influences immune responses on the ocular surface, relevant to DED and KC.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D plays a significant role in ocular surface health and disease management.
• Harnessing vitamin D's immuno-inflammatory modulation can enhance current treatments for DED and KC.
• Integrating vitamin D into standard care protocols may reduce disease duration and morbidity in ocular surface conditions.