Inverse Relation of 25-OH Vitamin D Level with Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy and HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Supplementation May Halt Severity

Purpose: Vitamin D has been proposed to have a role in ocular health as its anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory property. Our aim was to analyze the relationship of 25-OH Vitamin D level with severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and HbA1c in Type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: In the present observational study we enrolled 140 cases of Type 2 Diabetic patients (98 with DR and 42 without DR). Complete ophthalmological evaluation was done. 25-OH Vitamin D levels were compared with severity of DR and HbA1c level. Serum concentration of 25 hydroxyvitamin D was measured by radioimmunoassay method. Vitamin D deficiency was considered when 25 hydroxyvitamin D level less than 20ng/ml. Results: There was no significant difference in age, sex, Calcium, PTH and phosphate levels between groups. Sixty nine out of 98 with retinopathy while 15 out of 42 without retinopathy were having 25 hydroxyvitamin D level less than 20 ng/ml. DR patients have higher proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency as compared to without DR (p=0.045). We also found significant inverse correlation of serum 25-OH Vitamin D with severity of DR on ANOVA and HbA1c levels(p <0.001) on Pearson’s correlation. Conclusion: 25-OHvitamin D deficiency is associated with DR and increased HbA1c levels. Vitamin D supplementation with good blood sugar control may decrease the severity of DR in Type 2 diabetes. All patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, besides undergoing fundoscopic examination, must be assessed for their vitamin D statu