Effects of orally-administered Vitamin D on some features of the ocular surface after routine cataract surgery

Session Details

Session Title: Moderated Poster Session: A Bouquet of Topics

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : M.Skovron UKRAINE

Co Author(s): :    S. Rykov   L. Tutchenko   S. Patel   O. Horak              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine the effects of orally ingested Vitamin D on tear volume, stability of the pre-corneal tear film, integrity of the ocular surface and ocular comfort after routine cataract surgery.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv, Ukraine; Kyiv City Clinical Ophthalmological Hospital “Eye Microsurgery Center”, Ukraine.

Methods:

50 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were randomly allocated to either group I (given 600 IU of cholecalciferol for daily intake prior to, and for upto 2months postop) or group II(control), n=25/group. Tear meniscus height(TMH), fluorescein break-up test(BUT), Schirmer test, ocular surface appearance & staining (Oxford scale) checks were made on all eyes. Self-assessment of ocular comfort was checked using a ten-point analogue scale. Patients were checked at preop,1&2 months postop. Systemic vitamin D levels were checked in group I only. Surgery was standard uncomplicated phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia, postop topical levofloxacin, dexamethason, indomethacin, dexpanthenol, trehalose & hyaluronic acid.

Results:

The key significant findings (p<0.05) were as follows. Group I, TMH[0.19mm(sd±0.10)] and BUT[6.92secs(sd±3.97) remained stable. Schirmer test improved from 8.9mm(sd±5.7) to 14.0mm(sd±8.5). Surface staining reduced from 1.21(sd±1.13) to 0.2(sd±0.42). Comfort scores improved from 4.2(sd±2.5) to 2.1(sd±1.4). Systemic vitamin D levels increased from 20.87ng/ml(sd±7.73) to 26.54ng/ml(sd±8.28) by 1month. Group II, TMH reduced from 0.29mm(sd±0.25) to 0.20mm(sd±0.09) remaining stable thereafter. Inter-groups differences in TMH and comfort scores were significant by 1month postop. There were no differences between operated and unoperated eyes in each group.

Conclusions:

Oral ingestion of vitamin D appears to a) maintain, if not improve, tear volume and stability b) improve ocular comfort and overall status of the ocular surface after cataract surgery. In the absence of daily vitamin D supplements, tear volume reduces after cataract surgery.

Financial Disclosure:

None