Effect of vitamin D deficiency on spatial contrast sensitivity function.

Abstract

CLINICAL RELEVANCE\nVitamin D has regulatory effects on non-skeletal tissues including neurons. The contrast sensitivity function occurs as a result of interaction between retinal neurons.\n\n\nBACKGROUND\nThe association between plasma vitamin D deficiency and contrast sensitivity function was investigated.\n\n\nMETHODS\nForty-one eyes of 41 subjects with vitamin D deficiency with plasma vitamin D level <20\xa0ng/mL (Group 1), and 30 eyes of 30 subjects without vitamin D deficiency with plasma vitamin D level ≥20\xa0ng/mL (Group 2), were included in this prospective study. OPTEC 6500 was used to measure the contrast sensitivity function at all spatial frequencies involving 1.5 cpd, 3 cpd, 6 cpd, 12cpd, and 18 cpd. The average and sectorial retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, the average and minimum ganglion cell-inner plexiform thickness and tear meniscus height were measured by using optical coherence tomography.\n\n\nRESULTS\nA significant difference was present between Group 1 and Group 2 regarding the plasma vitamin D level (12.4\xa0±\xa04.7\xa0ng/mL in Group 1 versus 27.1\xa0±\xa06.7\xa0ng/mL in Group 2 p <\xa00.001). All spatial frequencies of contrast sensitivity function were significantly greater in Group 2 than those in Group 1, as follows: 45\xa0±\xa022.6 in Group 1 versus 57.5\xa0±\xa020.9 in Group 2, p =\xa00.08 in 1.5cpd; 71.3\xa0±\xa031.3 in Group 1 versus 91.8\xa0±\xa027.8 in Group 2, p =\xa00.001 in 3cpd; 77.9\xa0±\xa039.9 in Group 1 versus 100.4\xa0±\xa038.4 in Group 2, p =\xa00.013 in 6cpd; 32\xa0±\xa017.5 in Group 1 versus 48.8\xa0±\xa025.2 in Group 2, p =\xa00.002 in 12cpd; and 12.1\xa0±\xa05 in Group 1 versus 17.5\xa0±\xa09.5 in Group 2, p =\xa00.001 in 18cpd. However, there were no significant difference between two groups in terms of retinal fibre layer thicknesses, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses, and tear meniscus height.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nVitamin D deficiency can lead to a decrease in contrast sensitivity function that is an indicator of visual quality. This may be an underlying reason for certain visual complaints.