Study of serum vitamin D and homocysteine levels in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion are significant causes of vision loss in patients with diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency and elevated homocysteine levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. This study investigates the serum levels of vitamin D and homocysteine in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion to elucidate potential associations.: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight threatening complications associated with diabetes mellitus. To find the correlation between vitamin D level and homocysteine plasma levels in patients of DR and Retinal Vein Occlusion patients.: Study the level of serum vitamin D and Homocysteine in patients with diabetic retinopathy as well as in retinal vein occlusions. A case control type of study was conducted on 100 cases (70 diabetic retinopathy and 30 retinal vein occlusion) and age matched 100 control. Detailed relevant history and complete ocular examination was done . Serum vitamin D and homocysteine levels were noted. In our study, majority of the patients belonged to & > 60 years in the group of cases of diabetic retinopathy and most of the patients in the control group belonged to 50-60 years and & > 60 years of age group (40%). Mean age in the cases and controls was equal (58.4±8.4)Majority of the patients in both cases (68.6%) and control (67.1%) group were males. Association was found to be statistically significant when chi square test (p = 0.03). The prevalence of hyper homocysteinenemia was also higher in DR group. The prevalence of hyperhomocystinemia was more in cases of diabetic retinopathy compared to controls. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was more in cases of diabetic retinopathy compared to controls and the difference was significant.