[Lipaemia retinalis due to metabolic syndrome--case report].

BACKGROUND

Lipaemia retinalis is a rarely described ocular manifestation of hyperlipidemia. We report on a female patient with visual loss and visual field defects associated with lipaemia retinalis due to a metabolic syndrome.

PATIENT: A 45-year-old female patient presented with bilateral slowly progressing visual loss. Additionally, there were eruptive xanthomatas all over the body. Visual acuity measured 0.2 in both eyes. There was a bilateral creamy discoloration of retinal vessels with a salmon-colored fundus. The peripheral visual field was reduced. Laboratory findings indicated a severe mixed hyperlipidemia (triglyceride 11,694 mg/dl, cholesterol 1724 mg/dl). Immediately initiated therapy to normalize the metabolism resulted in improvement of clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Lipaemia retinalis is an useful clinical indicator for triglyceridemia. Persistent lipaemia retinalis may lead to visual loss and visual field defects and may be a sign of severe metabolic disturbances. To prevent cardiovascular complications immediate treatment is necessary.