Lipaemia retinalis in hyperlipidemia, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

Abstract

A 52-year-old male patient presented with a chief complaint of diminution of vision over the past two months. He is a known case of type -2 diabetes mellitus for 25 years but has not been taking his medication regularly. Ocular examination revealed visual acuity of 6/18 in both the eyes, xanthelasma, arcus senilis, posterior segment examination revealed creamy white discolouration of the retinal vessels. Routine blood investigation revealed high level of triglycerides (1550 mg/dl), cholesterol (615 mg/dl), LDL-C 10 mg/dl, HDL-C (187 mg/dl), and with HBA1C of 14.4%. Hence, diagnosed this case as lipaemia retinalis. The patient was referred to a physician for treatment, and after treating with statins, lipid-lowering therapy, and blood sugar control, the patient was reviewed every month; six months later, the patient had normal retinal vessels and improved visual acuity, in addition to normal triglyceride, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.