Association between vitamin D level and cataract: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #cataract #vitamin-d #vitamin-d-deficiency #incidence

Association between vitamin D level and cataract: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Jue et al., 2025 | Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Jue Zhenzhen, Xu Ziming, ... Yam Jason C. Association between vitamin D level and cataract: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2025-Jan;263(1):147-156. doi:10.1007/s00417-024-06592-w

Abstract

PURPOSE: The association between serum vitamin D level and cataract remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the association between vitamin D level and cataract. METHODS: In this study, articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched up to 30 August 2023 and 626 articles were screened. Four studies involving a total of 10,928 subjects with cataract and 10,117 control subjects met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Decreased serum vitamin D level was associated with higher incidence of cataract (P = 0.047; MD: -4.87; 95%CI: [-9.67, -0.07]). In the subgroup analysis by sex, a significant association was found between serum vitamin D level and cataract in both male (P = 0.01, MD: -2.15,95%CI: [-3.83, -0.46]) and female (P < 0.01; MD: -6.67,95%CI: [-8.20, -5.14]).In the subgroup analysis by the types of cataract, significant association was found between serum vitamin D level and nuclear (P < 0.01; MD: -10.48; 95%CI: [-12.72, -8.24]) and posterior subcapsular cataract (P = 0.02; MD: -6.05; 95%CI: [-11.30, -0.80]) but not in cortical cataract (P = 0.14; MD: -6.74; 95%CI: [-15.70, 2.22]). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed potential association between serum vitamin D level and cataract, more significant in female, and the subtypes of nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract.

Key Findings

Decreased serum vitamin D level was associated with higher incidence of cataract (P = 0.047; MD: -4.87; 95%CI: [-9.67, -0.07]). In the subgroup analysis by sex, a significant association was found between serum vitamin D level and cataract in both male (P = 0.01, MD: -2.15,95%CI: [-3.83, -0.46]) and female (P < 0.01; MD: -6.67,95%CI: [-8.20, -5.14]).In the subgroup analysis by the types of cataract, significant association was found between serum vitamin D level and nuclear (P < 0.01; MD: -10.48

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population cataract and 10
Sample Size 10928
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Cataract
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Incidence
  • Risk Factors
  • Global Health

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09