Diabetic Retinopathy associated with low Vitamin D - many studies
93 million people with diabetic retinopathy (DR) (6.8% of global population)
17 million with proliferative DR,
21 million with diabetic macular oedema,
28 million with vision-threatening DR.
- Meta-Analysis for Eye disease (META-EYE) study group. Global prevalence and major risk factors of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care. 2012;35:556–564
Sight threatening diabetic retinopathy 1.8 X more likely if vitamin D <20 ng - meta-analysis May 2022
Associations between vitamin D status and sight threatening and non-sight threatening diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders (2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-022-01059-3
Mike Trott, Robin Driscoll, Enrico Iraldo & Shahina Pardhan
Background
Vitamin D levels have been shown to be associated with diabetic retinopathy, however to date, no review has examined the relationship between vitamin D and sight threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) and non-sight threatening diabetic retinopathy (NSTDR). The aim of this review, therefore, was to pool associations between vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) and STDR/NSTDR. A further aim was to examine associations between circulating 25(OH)D levels and STDR/NSTDR.
Methods
A systematic review of major databases was undertaken for studies published from inception to 22/04/2022, using a pre-published protocol. Studies reporting prevalence of STDR or NSTDR versus a control group with diabetes and no DR or DME and either (a) vitamin D deficiency prevalence, or (b) circulating 25(OH)D levels, were included. A random effects meta-analysis was undertaken.
Results
Following screening, 12 studies (n = 9057) were included in the meta-analysis. STDR was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (OR = 1.80 95%CI 1.40–2.30; p = <0.001), whereas NSTDR was not (OR = 1.07 95%CI 0.90–1.27; p = 0.48). Both conclusions were graded as low credibility of evidence. Furthermore, circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with both NSTDR (SMD = -0.27 95%CI -0.50; −0.04; p = 0.02) and STDR (SMD = −0.49 95%CI -0.90; −0.07; p = 0.02), although these were graded as low credibility of evidence.
Conclusion
Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with STDR (including DME), but not with NSTDR. Given the well-reported associations between vitamin D deficiency and other unfavourable outcomes, it is important that vitamin D deficiency is managed appropriately and in a timely manner to reduce the risk of blindness in people with diabetes.
📄 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
VitaminDWiki - Items in both Diabetes and Vision (7 as of May 2022)
{category}
VitaminDWiki - Overview Diabetes and vitamin D contains
{include}
Diabetic Epidemic
{include}
VitaminDWiki - Items in both categories Diabetes and Vitamin D Receptor
{category}
VitaminDWiki - Vitamin D Receptor category contains
{include}
Growing Crisis—9.6M in America with Diabetic Retinopathy—1.84M at Risk of Blindness—Blacks & Latinos Hit Hardest - June 2023
Dark skins reduces Vitamin D levels in blood
Diabetes reduces VitaminD levels in both blood and cells.
"Blacks have higher VTDR prevalence rates (8.7%) as well as Hispanics (7.1%) than Whites (3.6%) "
Sadly, I convinced a friend with Retinopathy to take vitamin D, but her doctor said >2,000 IU could be toxic
I had recommended 4,000 IU = the upper allowable limit at the time.
She has been blind for the past 8 years
My recomendation in 2022 would still be an average of 4,000 IU - but taken as 50,000 IU once every 2 weeks along with any of the Vitamin D Receptor activators (daily) listed above