Vitamin D is a nutrient found in only a small number of foods, such as salmon, eggs and fortified milk. A common and easy way to obtain vitamin D is through sunlight exposure. This vitamin helps keep bones healthy, promotes healthy cells and proper immune system function, and reduces inflammation, reports the Office of Dietary Supplements. Since this nutrient has many important functions, some might wonder about the potential role of vitamin D in healing after eye surgery.
Eye Surgery
Depending on disease and vision, doctors might recommend eye surgery. A common problem is the natural lens inside your eye turning cloudy and hard. This condition, called a cataract, can cause blurred vision. In these cases, an eye doctor might recommend removing the cloudy lens to restore vision. Another common procedure is LASIK eye surgery, an elective procedure that helps reduce a person's dependency on prescription eye wear.
Complications
Cataract surgery and LASIK surgery, along with other eye surgeries, might cause inflammation. Some people have minor inflammation that does not cause any difficulties, but others have severe inflammation that results in serious, vision-threatening complications. Thanks to the possible anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D, this nutrient could prove beneficial after surgery by helping to reduce inflammation. If you have normal levels of vitamin D in your system, your doctor will not recommend a supplement for the purpose of eye surgery. If you have inflammation after eye surgery, you will require a medication to treat the infection or other cause of inflammation.
Recommendations
If you have adequate levels of vitamin D in your system, additional vitamin D supplements typically aren't recommended. The average adult requires between 600 and 800 international units of vitamin D each day. Long-term, low vitamin D levels can lead to conditions such as bone disease. Your doctor might periodically check your vitamin D levels and if she determines you do not have enough vitamin D, she might recommend a supplement.
Considerations
Prior to eye surgery, inform your doctor of every health condition you have, including whether you have low vitamin D levels. If your eye surgeon believes this might inhibit healing or result in other complications, she might recommend supplements to increase your levels before you have surgery. Do not spend prolonged periods in the sun if you choose to use sunlight to increase your vitamin D levels. Extensive exposure could lead to skin cancer and other serious complications.
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