PracticeUpdate
Research · May 01, 2014
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- The authors studied the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet (MeDi) and vitamin D levels on dry eye syndrome (DES). In a large cohort of men, following the MeDi was associated with an increased risk of DES and increased severity of the disease. Conversely, higher vitamin D levels had a small, but beneficial, effect on symptoms. Increased omega-3 intake was not found to be beneficial for relief of DES in this study.
- The authors concluded that vitamin D levels, but not following a MeDi, is associated with (small) relief of DES.
– Kathy Freeman, OD, FAAO
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MeDi) and Vitamin D levels on dry eye syndrome (DES).
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study. Male patients seen in the Miami Veterans Affairs eye clinic with normal eyelid, corneal, and conjunctival anatomy were recruited to participate in the study. The patients filled out the 2005 Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 and underwent measurement of tear film parameters. The serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D was also measured. The main outcome measures included the association among MeDi, Vitamin D levels, and DES.
RESULTS
Two hundred forty-seven men underwent DES testing. The mean patient age was 69 years (range, 55–95). Using latent class analysis to categorize the presence or absence of disease and quantify its severity, we found that adherence to the MeDi was positively associated with the risk of having DES (odd ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.47, P = 0.007) and with increasing disease severity. Vitamin D levels were not significantly associated with the presence or severity of disease. However, higher levels of vitamin D were associated with decreased DES symptoms, with a −1.24 decrease in median Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 score for every 10-U increase in Vitamin D levels (P = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to the MeDi was not associated with a beneficial effect on DES. Higher vitamin D levels had a small but favorable effect on DES symptoms.