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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the  association of serum lipids with vision loss in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and the effect of lipid-lowering agents. Background Elevated serum lipids such as total cholesterol and triglycerides lead to vision deterioration through affection of retina in diabetic patients. Patients and methods Forty type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated for serum lipids, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular oedema from January 2013 to September 2013 in Menoufia University Hospital, Menoufia, Egypt. Antilipid therapy was administered to hyperlipidaemic patients with DR or macular oedema for 9 months and re-evaluated. Results Of the 40 diabetic patients, 65% were male and 35% were female, and the mean age was 50.5 years (range = 20-80 years). An overall 75% of patients had DR and 25% of patients did not have DR. Various grades of clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) were detected in 42.5% of diabetic patients. Duration of diabetes ranged from 5 to 25 years. Dyslipidaemia was found in 70% of DR patients. Of the 25 dyslipidaemic patients, 12 patients (48%) had CSME. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride level were elevated in DR and CSME. Hard exudate was present in 70% of DR patients with total cholesterol level above 230 mg/dl, and was present in 80% of DR patients with the ratio of total cholesterol level to high-density lipoprotein above 4.5. Retinal hard exudate decreased after antilipid therapy. Conclusion Dyslipidaemia is associated with an increased risk of development and progression of retinopathy and maculopathy in diabetic patients.

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