METHODS:A total of 30 non-atopic healthy children and 30 children having VKC were included in the study. The serum vitamin D levels and the time spent outside was compared between the two groups(P<0.05).

RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D level in the VKC group was significantly lower(mean 19.17±10.76 ng/mL)compared to the control group(mean 31.19±9.09 ng/mL)(P=0.0003). The vitamin D levels were found to be deficient(10-20 ng/mL)in 43.33%, whereas severe deficiency(<10 ng/mL)was found in 20% of the VKC patients. The deficiency of vitamin D correlated with the level of severity of VKC(P<0.02). The time spent outside in the VKC group was 1.07±0.76h, whereas in the healthy subjects it was 2.08±0.72h(P<0.0001), and it showed a significant correlation with the serum 25(OH)D3 levels(r=0.478, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION:The study shows that children with VKC had a significantly lower serum vitamin D levels as compared to the healthy children which correlated with time spent outside. The severity of VKC also correlated with the severity of vitamin D deficiency which suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining ocular surface health.