Vitamin D and myopia: a review.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Myopia is a global health issue with significant socioeconomic impact.
• Environmental factors like outdoor time are linked to myopia development.
• Vitamin D's role in myopia is under investigation, potentially linked to outdoor activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize studies on the association between vitamin D status and myopia.
• To explore epidemiological, genetic, and mechanistic evidence linking vitamin D and myopia.
• To assess the potential of vitamin D as a modifiable factor in myopia prevention.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published over the last decade.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on vitamin D levels and myopia.
• Examination of genetic association studies and proposed biological mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Epidemiological studies suggest increased vitamin D levels, associated with outdoor time, may delay myopia progression in children and adolescents.
• Genetic studies exploring gene polymorphism for vitamin D and myopia association are inconclusive.
• Proposed mechanisms include calcium homeostasis and ciliary muscle function, but remain largely unproven.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D may offer a protective effect against myopia progression, particularly in younger populations.
• Further research is essential to elucidate genetic links and biological pathways.
• Vitamin D presents a potential modifiable factor for myopia prevention or delay.