Evaluation of Serum Vitamin and Mineral Levels in Patients with Dermatochalasis

Abstract

Aim: Dermatochalasis (DC) is a common ophthalmic condition characterized by excess skin in the upper eyelids, which not only affects aesthetic appearance but can also lead to functional impairments, such as difficulty in lifting the eyelids and peripheral vision constriction. We aimed to assess serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, ferritin (Fe), and zinc (Zn) by comparing patients with DC who have undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty to healthy controls in this retrospective, case-control study. Methods: This retrospective comparative analysis encompassed individuals with DC who received upper eyelid blepharoplasty, alongside age-and sex-matched controls, during the period from 2022 to 2023. Data, including complete ophthalmologic evaluations and laboratory findings of DC patients and healthy controls, were extracted from medical records. Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate, Fe, and Zn were assessed and compared between the DC and control groups. Results: The DC group consisted of 59 patients, including 40 women (67.79%) and 19 men (32.21%). The control group comprised 40 individuals, including 25 women (62.5%) and 15 men (37.5%). The mean age of the participants was 58.4±8.2 years (range: 45-75). No statistically significant associations were observed between serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, Fe, and Zn and the occurrence of DC. Conclusion: This study found no significant difference between serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D, Zn, folate, vitamin B12, Fe, and the occurrence of DC. Although nutritional variables may influence overall skin health, the findings indicate that DC is not impacted solely by these vitamins and minerals. 82.8% of participants had serum 25-OH vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. This finding suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be a widespread issue but does not appear to be directly linked to the presence of DC.