Vitamin D and Diabetic Retinopathy

Contrasting data about the association between proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and vitamin D status remain unknown, and was discussed by this study (1). First, a hospital-based cross-sectional study consisting of 889 diabetic retinopathy (DR) and non-DR (NDR) patients was admitted. Further the accumulated evidence was performed to explore the association and dose-response relationship. The study indicated that the odd ratio for PDR in vitamin D deficiency (VDD) individuals was significantly increased compared with NDR in vitamin D sufficiency individuals, adjusted by age, sex, diabetic duration, and HbA1c. Four studies plus the study with data on vitamin D levels in 4970 patients with PDR and NDR subjects were compared. Results showed that association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of PDR exists. The authors conclude that vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.