Lipaemia retinalis
Lipaemia retinalis also spelled as Lipemia retinalis is an eye disease caused by high amounts of triglycerides in the blood or Lipoprotein lipase deficiency. In this condition the retinal arteries and veins, and occasionally the entire fundus shows creamy-white to salmon-red discoloration.
Signs and symptoms
In early stage of lipaemia retinalis, creamy-white discoloration of retinal blood vessels occurs and in extreme cases the fundus become salmon red colour. Retinal changes occur in the peripheral vessels, gradually progress to entire fundus. Symptoms are caused by an increase in the level of chylomicron in the retinal circulation. Though visual acuity is not affected, electroretinogram amplitude may be decreased.Since acute increase in triglyceride may be asymptomatic at first, retinal signs of LR are an important clinical sign of hypertriglyceridemia.
Cause
Lipaemia retinalis is a retinal disease caused by hypertriglyceridemia or chylomicronemia. Depending on plasma triglyceride level, the retinal arteries, veins or occasionally the entire fundus may show creamy-white to salmon-red discoloration. In primary hyperlipidaemia, LR occurs only in patients with increased chylomicron levels.Lipaemia retinalis occurs commonly with familial hypertriglyceridaemia, and rarely with combined hypertriglyceridaemia. Although serum triglyceride levels above 1000 mg / dL can cause eye symptoms such as xanthoma, xanthelasma and arcus senilis, lipaemia retinalis is most commonly seen when the triglyceride level is above 1500 mg / dL. Changes in fundus are more pronounced when triglyceride levels exceed 2,500 mg / dL.