ESCRS - POCOR508 - The Effect Of Topical Vitamin D Supplementation In The Management Of Severe Dry Eye Disease: A Clinical Evaluation Of Ocular Surface Health .

The Effect Of Topical Vitamin D Supplementation In The Management Of Severe Dry Eye Disease: A Clinical Evaluation Of Ocular Surface Health .

Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: POCOR508 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/f7p7-0698

Authors: Ms Yousra Mekki* 1 , Ms Douaa Nechadi 1 , Prof. Dr Nesrine Lenchi 1 , Dr Moatez Billah Mekki 2

1Department Of Nature And Life Sciences, Algiers 1 University,Algiers,Algeria, 2Ibn Al Haythem Center,Algiers,Algeria

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) drops in patients presenting with severe Ocular Surface Disease (OSD).

Setting

Ibn Al-Haythem Center, Algiers, Algeria.

Methods

A prospective study of 15 consecutive patients (30 eyes) diagnosed with severe Ocular Surface Disease. All patients included at baseline exhibited with superficial punctate keratitis and Corneal Fluorescein Staining score of Grade 4 on the Oxford Scale in both eyes, associated with significant ocular discomfort, with a mean baseline OSDI-6 score of: 18.5 , and a high dependency on lubrication.

All participants received only topical Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) formulation 200 000 UI/ml administered once daily at night for a period of 7 days and stopped other eyedrops.

Objective ocular surface analysis was conducted at baseline and on day 7 using the IDRA Ocular Surface Analyzer (SBM Sistemi).

Results

A dramatic clinical improvement was observed in all cases, with 100% of eyes transitioning from Grade 4 to Grade 1 on the Oxford Scale. The mean OSDI-6 score dropped from 18.5 to 4.2 , with improvement of all tear film parameters and reduction of artificial tear dependency, dropping from a mean of  8.5 instillations per day at baseline to 1.5 per day.

Conclusions

Topical Vitamin D3 acts as a potent biological modulator for the ocular surface. Its ability to reduce lonely severe corneal staining (from Grade 4 to Grade 1) in just 7 days highlights its role in accelerating epithelial cicatrization and restoring the ocular surface barrier without side effects. This pilot study suggests that Vitamin D3 could be a breakthrough first-line therapy for refractory or severe dry eye cases.