2Yrd. Doç. Dr., Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi, Endokrinoloji ve Metabolizma Bilimdalı, Hatay, Türkiye Purpose: The effects of vitamin D defi ciency (VDD) on eyes have been shown in many studies in elderly populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of VDD on retinal nerve fi ber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC) and macular thickness (MT) in young adults by optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Materials and metods: Patients diagnosed with VDD who had complete visual acuity, and who had no systemic or ocular disease were randomized to the study. RNFL, GCC and MT were measured from the left eyes of the patients by OCT. The obtained measurements were assessed by comparison with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 36,45 ± 10,3 years. Two groups were examined; patients with serum 25(OH)D <10 ng / mL (severe VDD) (42 female, 7 male) and patients with 25(OH)D ? 10 ng / ml (moderate VDD) (29 female, 31 male). Severe VDD was found to be signifi cantly more in women (p<0.001). The upper RNFL thickness (12 clock-hour quadrant) was signifi cantly thicker in both men and women with severe VDD (p=0,035, p=0,049, respectively). The lower quadrant GCC was thinner in patients with severe VDD in men (p= 0,049); however, there was no difference among women (p=0,590). There was no signifi cant difference in mean MT values among males (p=0,219); the central region of MT was found thinner in women with severe VDD (p=0,029).
Conclusion: Severe vitamin D defi ciency may have adverse effects on retina and macula.
Keywords : Vitamin D defi ciency, ganglion cell complex, macular thickness, retinal nerve fi ber layer thickness