You need vitamin D through dietary or other sources so your body can absorb calcium to keep your bones healthy and strong. This nutrient also helps reduce inflammation and regulates your immune system and other body processes. If you do not have enough vitamin D, you risk serious health complications. Low levels will not cause vision problems, but a diet rich in vitamin D may offer some benefits to your eyes.
Symptoms
If you have low vitamin D, your doctor may recommend periodic blood tests to monitor for a deficiency. Low levels could result in changes to the makeup of your bone structure, causing "brittle bones," also known as osteomalacia. In growing children, a vitamin D deficiency could result in rickets, a condition that includes bone deformities, such as bowed legs. Conditions that may have a link to a deficiency include high blood pressure, depression, chronic fatigue and chronic pain. Vitamin D deficiency, however, is not known to cause vision problems.
Prevention
Macular degeneration is an eye disease that can lead to severe vision loss. Treatments for this disease do not have a good record in reversing vision damage, but doctors use these available treatment options to slow down the progressive damage. Doctors from many ophthalmology offices and hospitals evaluated the role of vitamin D in relation to macular degeneration. In 2007 they released the results, which indicate a possible link between this nutrient and the disease. Low vitamin D levels will not have an effect on macular degeneration, but, based on the findings, an adequate intake of vitamin D could help prevent this eye disease.
Causes
Vision changes will not typically indicate low vitamin D levels. If you notice that you have sudden or a gradual decline in vision, contact your doctor. Conditions that may result in vision changes include a retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, corneal conditions, eye infection, dry eye or glaucoma. Your doctor will test your vision and examine your eyes thoroughly to determine the cause for the changes in your visual acuity.
Intake
If you suspect that you have low vitamin D levels, discuss this with your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements. She can help you determine how much you should have each day and the best way for you to reach these levels. On average, an adult requires 600 International Units daily. Your doctor may recommend food sources, such as cod liver oil, fortified milk, eggs or fortified cereals. Exposure to sunlight will also provide vitamin D, but prolonged exposure increases your risk of skin cancer.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health; Vitamin D; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Vision Problems; July 2010
- "Archives of Ophthalmology"; Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994; Niyati Parekh, Ph.D., R.D., et al.; May 2007
- Vitamin D Council; Vitamin D Deficiency Syndrome; John Jacob Cannell, M.D.; December 2003
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