Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of Cataracts, Study Finds
A new study published in BMJ Ophthalmology has found that vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased cataract risk, with younger adults found to be more susceptible. The results are from one of the largest studies conducted, which used the UK Biobank data combining both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. The study was conducted by Yu Peng and colleagues.
Cataracts continue to be the most common cause of blindness globally, with aging being the strongest risk factor, although nutritional and metabolic factors are increasingly being explored. Vitamin D, a calcium regulatory hormone that also plays roles in oxidative stress and immune modulation, has been suggested to play a role in lens health. Nevertheless, until recently, the association between serum vitamin D levels and cataract risk had been controversial.
The study utilized UK Biobank data, both in current cataract cases (cross-sectional) and new cases in the future (longitudinal).
Cross-sectional analysis: 442,255 participants with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] data
Longitudinal analysis: 427,923 individuals without cataract at baseline, followed for a mean of 10.8 years
Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were categorized in quartiles, and logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were applied to evaluate the risk of cataracts.
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
