Lipemia retinalis: A combination of genetics and the American diet and lifestyle

Ultrawide field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging of lipemia retinalis

“…Lipemia retinalis serves as an important clinical sign of severe hypertriglyceridemia because acute elevations may remain asymptomatic until concentrations rise above 2500 mg/dl (Nogales et al. ). The early cream discoloration of the retinal vessels first occurs in the retinal periphery at levels of 2500–3499 mg/dl, and as triglyceride levels increase to between 3500 and 5000 mg/dl, the changes spread to involve the posterior pole (Rymarz et al.…”

Lipemia retinalis – an unusual cause of visual acuity deterioration

“…In the case of our patient, hyperlipidemia was secondary to a lipid-rich diet, excessive use of alcohol and lack of physical activity. It should be stressed that a lipid disorder resulting in lipemia retinalis causes a risk of life-threatening atherosclerotic disease [4,8,9] and other severe complications like acute pancreatitis [15]. Moreover, characteristic retinal findings may be the only sign of lipid disturbances (which are often asymptomatic).…”

“…Moreover, characteristic retinal findings may be the only sign of lipid disturbances (which are often asymptomatic). In such patients a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to obtain the desirable systemic outcome [4,15]. …”

“…The consequences of hyperlipidemia are multiorgan and include premature atherosclerosis with all its effects, lesions of the digestive system (liver and pancreas), skin and sometimes ocular changes [1]. Lipemia retinalis is a rare retinal manifestation of hypertriglyceridemia [2–4]. It was first described by Heyl in 1880 [5].…”