In April 2019 researchers from Saudi Arabia published their study to assess the effects of short-term oral vitamin A supplementation on the ocular tear film in individuals with dry eye. A total of 30 males, average age 25 years, who did not wear contact lenses or had any ocular (other than dry eye) or systemic diseases were included in the study, along with 30 age-matched men, average age 24.5 years, with healthy eyes. All individuals received an oral vitamin A supplement at a daily dose of 1,500 mg for 3 consecutive days. Ocular tests were performed before and 24 hours after the third dose of the vitamin A supplement, with a 10-minute interval being observed between the different tests. Results showed that short-term oral vitamin A supplementation improved the quality, but not the quantity, of tears in individuals with dry eye. Further research is required.
Alanazi SA et al. Effects of short-term oral vitamin A supplementation on the ocular tear film in patients with dry eye. Clin Ophthalmol. 2019 Apr 10;13:599-604