Purpose: To study the levels of serum 25-OH vitamin D in myopic young adults and to compare the results in different grades of myopia.
Methods: 200 subjects aged between 13 to 28 years, participated in this hospital-based case control study. All myopes (n=100) and non-myopes (n=100) underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including post-cycloplegic refraction after taking consent and ethical clearance. The participants provided data about age, education, outdoor activity, and urbanization. Myopia was graded into pre-myopia, low myopia and high myopia as per international myopia institute grading 2019. Fasting blood samples were taken and analyzed for 25-OH vitamin D levels, using vitros immunoassay analyzer. Serum 25-OH vitamin D concentrations levels were compared and association between myopia and its severity grades was determined.
Results: In the myopic study group (n=100), 30% had pre-myopia, 40% had low-myopia and 30% had high myopia. Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were significantly different between cases and controls, with lower levels measured in myopia (p<0.01). Age and gender correlation were not significant in this study with 25-OH vitamin D levels in myopia. Status of insufficiency and deficiency of 25-OH vitamin D levels was significantly higher in high myopes.
Conclusion: Low serum 25-(OH) vitamin D levels were found to be associated with myopia in young adults. The fall in levels of 25-OH vitamin D level was directly proportional to the increasing severity of myopia.
