Reduction of retinal exudates in diabetic retinopathy after heparin-induced extracorporal LDL-precipitation (HELP). A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Exudative diabetic retinopathy is difficult to treat. We describe a patient in whom we believe extracorporeal LDL-precipitation (HELP) improved visual acuity.

METHODS

HELP is a variant of extracorporeal dialysis which reduces low-density lipoprotein and fibrinogen levels.

CASE REPORT: A heavily overweight patient with massive exudative diabetic retinopathy was administered HELP. Four months after starting HELP, and after vitrectomy and panretinal photocoagulation, the massive exudation was drastically lower. Visual acuity improved from 0.03 (0.02) OD (OS) to 0.25 (0.13) OD (OS).

DISCUSSION: The role of vitrectomy and panretinal photocoagulation is discussed. HELP seems to be the most probable explanation for our patient's gain in visual acuity.