When we think of vitamin D, most of us picture strong bones, teeth, and muscles. But in the last few years, emerging research suggests that its influence may extend beyond the skeleton — reaching right into how well we see and hear. As daylight fades this autumn and we move into the low-sunlight months, it’s a good time to revisit why vitamin D matters for eye and ear health (and what you can do about it).
Current UK Guidance & Why Deficiency Lingers
In the UK, from autumn through spring, we cannot produce enough vitamin D from sunlight alone, and even with a good diet containing Vitamin D rich foods (oily fish, red meats, egg yolks, liver) it is still difficult to maintain adequate levels. Hence the NHS recommends:
- Everyone over age 1 considers taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU), especially from October to March.
- For babies under 1, supplements are also recommended—unless they consume enough vitamin-D fortified formula.
- BUT -don’t overdo it – excessive vitamin D can be harmful. Most UK / NHS guidance frames 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) per day as a ceiling for safe use (unless under specialist supervision).
The cost is very low: standard vitamin D supplements in the UK typically cost only pennies per tablet. However, prescription vitamin D (on the NHS) is usually reserved for treating confirmed deficiency or for specific clinical circumstances—not for blanket prevention.
Despite these guidelines, deficiency and insufficiency are still common. One study earlier in 2025 measured that nearly 50% of 5500 people tested had levels below an “optimal” range.
So even though the guidance is clear, many people slip through the gaps—especially those who have minimal sun exposure, darker skin, spend a lot of time indoors, or cover up for cultural or health reasons.
Vitamin D & Eye Health: From Dry Eyes to Macular Health
You already know some of the classical connections (calcium regulation, bone health). But here are newer or stronger threads connecting vitamin D to eye wellness:
- Dry Eye & Tear Film: Studies have shown that people with lower serum vitamin D tended to have worse signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Some research has observed that patients with AMD had lower vitamin D levels than healthy controls. (Though causal relationships are still being investigated.)
- Anti-inflammatory & Immune Roles: Vitamin D has regulatory effects on inflammation and immune pathways, which may help protect ocular tissues from oxidative stress or vascular damage.
What about hearing?
The evidence of vitamin D deficiency related to hearing loss is less strong, however emerging studies and data are worth considering:
- A 2024 observational study found higher levels of serum vitamin D levels were associated with a slightly lower probability of high-frequency hearing loss.
- In people with type 2 diabetes, lower vitamin D levels correlated with worse hearing thresholds across frequencies.
- In cross-sectional dietary studies (UK / Europe), diets richer in vitamin D sources (e.g. oily fish, eggs) were linked with lower odds of self-reported hearing difficulties.
- A meta-analysis (2023) pooled data from several cohorts and found that people with tinnitus had serum vitamin D levels ~22% lower than controls.
- In one small intervention (n = 35), high-dose vitamin D supplementation over three months corresponded with a nearly 40% drop in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score.
Some of the above are associations—not proof of causation—but they suggest vitamin D could play a role in maintaining auditory sensitivity over time.
For more information see the NHS website and UK Vitamin D statistics
