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


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Freiburg University Eyeclinic, Germany.
P
P
Janknecht
M
M
Schumann
L L
LL
Hansen
D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000378:metabolism; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000628:therapy*; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006493:Heparin