Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background: This review aims to substantiate the correlation between vitamin D and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) within the medical literature. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Embase until December 10th , 2023. A meticulous literature search was undertaken to identify and analyze all observational-analytical papers reporting vitamin D levels in RVO patients. The principal outcome measures centered on the comparative assessment of vitamin D levels between patients with RVO (cases) and those devoid of RVO (controls). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42024499853). Results: A total of six relevant studies consisting of 589 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of RVO (Odds ratio=14.51; 95% CI: [1.71, 122.59], P=0.014); and patients with RVO exhibited a significant decrease in serum vitamin D levels by 1.91ng/mL (95% CI: [-2.29, -1.54], P<0.001). Moreover, there was no significant difference observed in vitamin D levels between central RVO (CRVO) and branch RVO (BRVO) subtypes (P=0.63). Conclusion: RVO patients have more vitamin D deficiency than healthy controls. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence highlighting the intricate role of vitamin D supplementation as both a prophylactic and a treatment strategy in RVO. PROSPERO registration identifier: CRD42024499853