Vitamin D may prevent relapse of Uveitis, finds study

Vitamin D may prevent relapse of Uveitis, finds a new study.

Active uveitis patients have a significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to patients with inactive uveitis, reveals a recent study published in the journal Ophthalmology. Sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation in those with vitamin D deficiency were found to be associated with a decreased activity of uveitis.

Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the pigmented layer that lies between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer composed of the sclera and cornea.

Zelia K. Chiua, Monash University, Victoria, Australia, and colleagues compared serum vitamin D levels and patterns of ultraviolet and dietary exposure between patients with active and inactive non-infectious uveitis, and population controls.

This prospective case-control study involved 151 participants with active and inactive non-infectious uveitis who were made to complete a questionnaire on vitamin D intake and UV exposure and had their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D measured. Serum hydroxyvitamin-D levels were compared between active and inactive uveitis groups, and local population estimates. The patients were recruited from two Victorian tertiary hospitals and one private ophthalmic practice.

The researchers then compared the vitamin levels between patients with active and inactive uveitis. Vitamin D intakes and exposures including vitamin D supplementation and sunlight exposures on weekdays and weekends were compared between active and inactive uveitis groups based on questionnaire results.

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Key findings of the study include:

• The median (IQR) level of serum vitamin D in those with active uveitis (n=74) was 46 nmol/L (29, 70), significantly lower than the inactive control group (n=77) at 64nmol/L (52, 79).


• The active uveitis group also had lower median serum vitamin D levels than the local population median of 62nmol/L.


• Vitamin D supplementation was also significantly associated with uveitis inactivity.


• In a sub-analysis of vitamin D deficient participants, sun exposure was significantly associated with uveitis inactivity.

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"These results suggest that vitamin D supplementation should be studied as an option for the prevention of uveitis relapse in at-risk patients," concluded the authors.