Researchers recently examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine the link between serum vitamin D levels and the odds of developing different subtypes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Over five thousand participants were analyzed in the study which was led by a
team from Sun Yat-sen University. Retinal photographs were taken and graded for the AMD stage along with their serum 25 (OH)D level.
Analysis revealed the rate of early AMD increased in patients aged 60 years or younger who had vitamin D serum levels greater than 25 (OH) but there was a decreased risk of late AMD among participants older than 60 years of age .
To better evaluate the effectiveness of 25 (OH)D on late AMD, additional prospective studies and randomized trials with long-term follow-up are needed.
