Effect of Vitamin D Supplement on Axial Length of Myopes

Abstract

Myopia is triggered on by excessive axial elongation. Vitamin D deficiency somehow relevant to myopia genic visual cues. Objectives: To compare the level of vitamin D 25(OH)D in myopes and emmetropes and to access the effect of vitamin D 25(OH)D supplements in different degrees of myopia and compare the axial length. Methods: A Randomize Controlled Trail Study was conducted in Madina Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad on 60 subjects from September 2022 to April 2023 with age ranges 15-25 years. All were subjected to following examinations; BCVA, slit-lamp examination, A-scan and vitamin D level. The sample was randomly divided into two groups through Non-probability Purposive Sampling Technique. Group 1 was emmetropic, whereas group 2 exhibits various degrees of myopia. Group 2 takes up supplemental vitamin D followed by 1 month. Results: Mean age was 20.82 years ± 2.32. Out of the total 60 subjects, 24 (40%) were male while 36 (60%) were female.47 subjects (78.3%) reported having less than 4 hours of outdoor exposure while 13 subjects (21%) reported having more than 4 hours. Mean axial length 21.97 ± .80 and 22.66 ± 1.29 of emmetropes (p=0.008) while myopes 24.30 ± .91 and 24.13 ± 1.04 at baseline and after one month respectively (p=0.023).  Mean vitamin D level was 18.36 ± 1.37and 17.13 ± 1.35 of emmetropes (p=0.00) while 15.63 ± 1.54and 16.90 ± 2.75 at baseline and after one month respectively (p=0.00). Conclusions: There was a significant association between low levels of vitamin D and the development of myopia in emmetropes and vitamin D supplementation can help to prevent the axial length elongation of myopes