Does Vitamin D affect Macular Degeneration?

A recent study published online in Maturitas detailed a possible link between low vitamin D levels and a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Identifying a vitamin D deficiency may be helpful in aiding the prognosis of macular degeneration. Eleven studies were evaluated by researchers who were looking for patients with an AMD diagnosis in at least one eye and who also had a circulating vitamin D concentration. All studies had been published since 2007. The analysis of the studies revealed that patients with the highest vitamin D levels had 83% lower odds of developing AMD and were 47% less likely to develop the late-stage macular degeneration than those patients who had the lowest levels of AMD. Researchers concede that low vitamin D levels may not really explain why AMD develops or worsens and that they are unsure whether vitamin D supplementation would protect against developing AMD. And researchers are unable to present a plausible theory that explains the association between circulating vitamin D levels and late-stage AMD.*