A Study on Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: To study the association between vitamin D level and diabetic retinopathy and to estimate the vitamin D level with severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Method: 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were considered for this study. Out of which only 96 patients were included after qualifying the inclusion and exclusion criteria.41 patients without retinopathy and 55 patients with retinopathy were taken. Detailed history of the patients was taken followed by thorough general and ocular examination. Blood investigations including serum 25 (OH) D were done. Result: The mean vitamin D level in the patients without retinopathy was 546.84ng/dl and those with retinopathy was 399.97ng/dl. The mean vitamin D level in patients without DR was 546.84ng/dl, 41.768.85ng/dl in NPDR, 283.65ng/dl in PDR and 29.24.47ng/dl in DME. Conclusion: We found that the patients with diabetic retinopathy had lower level of vitamin D than in patients without diabetic retinopathy and the level of vitamin D is inversely associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy.