Study results suggest vitamin D may protect ocular surface

DENVER – Cell-based research indicates that vitamin D may protect the ocular surface against infection and inflammation, according to a presenter here at an American Academy of Optometry-sponsored press conference.

Rose Y. Reins, PhD, said: “Vitamin D is being looked at in terms of prevention to block progression of disease in animal models. New research has focused on its involvement in immune system regulation and as an anti-inflammatory mediator.

“I’m interested in the ocular surface and function of vitamin D,” she continued. “I’ve been looking at how vitamin D can influence gene expression in this tissue and also focusing on the inflammatory component. We want to know if vitamin D can decrease high levels of mediators, such as what would occur in dry eye disease.”

Reins said her research showed that vitamin D is able to influence gene expression in corneal epithelial cells, in particular, increasing proteins important for innate immunity.

She said she also found that vitamin D lowers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

“It’s able to do this even after initiation of inflammation,” she said. “These results suggest a possible protective role of vitamin D in ocular surface infection and inflammation.”

Disclosure: Reins has no relevant financial disclosures.