Publication date: 26 June 2014
What is already known about this subject:
- Myopia ('short-sightedness') is becoming increasingly common in Australia and worldwide.
- Vitamin D deficiency, usually due to insufficient sun exposure, is also becoming increasingly common.
- Spending more time outdoors decreases the risk of myopia, though it is not yet known if this is due to increased vitamin D levels.
What this study adds
- Vitamin D levels in blood samples and eye examination data from the Raine Study participants at 20 years of age found that young adults with myopia had lower vitamin D levels.
- Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with a higher risk of myopia.
- Further research is warranted to investigate whether vitamin D is able to directly influence eye health or if it is a marker for eye sun exposure.