Many physiologic processes rely on good levels of vitamin D. A deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to many conditions and researchers recently sought to determine the role vitamin D plays in the development of diabetic macular ischemia (DMI), which is an irreversible diabetic maculopathy.
The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Memorial Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Giza, Egypt and Ophthalmology Department, Benha University Hospitals, Benha, Egypt and results were published in Nature.
The study involved diabetic patients with 31 males and 37 females with an average age of 58 years and the duration of diabetes mellitus varied between 5 to 25 years among them. All participants completed an detailed ophthalmic exam as well as had vitamin D levels assessed. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) was used to diagnose DMI.
Researchers found a significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and DMI. Currently, there are no guidelines for vitamin D supplementation for patients with diabetic retinopathy. Researchers believe that patients with diabetic retinopathy could lessen diabetic retinopathy by maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. Additional studies will be needed that utilize large case control groups.
