Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of Cataracts, Study Finds

Key Findings

Cross-sectional findings:

• Increased quartiles of serum vitamin D were inversely related to cataract risk

• Trend was significant (p for trend <0.001)

Longitudinal findings (mean follow-up: 10.8 years):

• Vitamin D deficiency raised risk of cataracts (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.15)

Serious deficiency (<25 nmol/L) increased cataract risk in a different way by age group:

• 27% increased risk in persons younger than 50 years (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07–1.49)

• 12% increased risk in persons between 50–60 years (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.21)

• 9% increased risk in persons above 60 years (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04–1.14)

• Reference group (50–75 nmol/L): Served as the comparison group

This large UK Biobank investigation identified substantial cross-sectional and prospective relationships between vitamin D deficiency and enhanced risk of cataract. These findings highlight the need for early monitoring and intervention for vitamin D deficiency as an integral part of cataract prevention policy.

Reference:

Peng, Y., Zhang, Y., Kam, K. W., Ho, M., Au, S. C. L., Zhang, X., Ng, M. P. H., Ip, P., Young, A. L., Pang, C.-P., Tham, C. C., Chen, L. J., & Yam, J. C. (2025). Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with cataract: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the UK Biobank. The British Journal of Ophthalmology, bjo-2024-326716. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo-2024-326716