Vitamin D, the Vitamin D Receptor, Calcitriol Analogues and Their Link with Ocular Diseases

The global prevalence of eye diseases continues to grow, bringing with it a reduction in the activity levels and quality of life of patients, and partial or complete blindness if left untreated. As such, there is considerable interest in identifying more effective therapeutic options and preventive agents. One such agent is vitamin D, known to have a range of anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, and whose deficiency is linked to the pathogenesis of a range of cardiovascular, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. This review presents the current stage of knowledge concerning the link between vitamin D and its receptor and the occurrence of eye disease, as well as the influence of analogues of calcitriol, an active metabolite of vitamin D. Generally, patients affected by various ocular disorders have vitamin D deficiency. In addition, previous findings suggest that vitamin D modulates the course of eye diseases and may serve as a marker, and that its supplementation could mitigate some disorders. However, as these studies have some limitations, we recommend further randomized trials to clarify the link between vitamin D and its activity with eye disease.

Automated summary

This article reviews the current knowledge on the link between vitamin D and its receptor and the occurrence of eye disease, as well as the influence of analogues of calcitriol, an active metabolite of vitamin D. It is found that patients with various ocular disorders generally have vitamin D deficiency, and vitamin D may modulate the course of eye diseases and serve as a marker. Supplementation of vitamin D could potentially alleviate some eye disorders, but further randomized trials are recommended to clarify the link and activity between vitamin D and eye disease.