Lipemia retinalis associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To report a patient with a branch retinal vein occlusion associated with lipemia retinalis.


METHODS
Observational case report.


METHODS
A 58-year-old woman presented with decreased vision and was found to have a branch retinal vein occlusion with massive lipid exudation in the setting of lipemia retinalis. Laboratory testing demonstrated an abnormal lipid profile with a markedly elevated triglyceride level. The setting was a retina service in a major referral center.


RESULTS
Management of the hypertriglyceridemia with medication, exercise, and dietary modification resolved the lipemia retinalis and was associated with improvement in visual function.


CONCLUSIONS
Although usually not visually significant, lipemia retinalis may be associated with vascular pathology, such as a branch retinal vein occlusion with marked exudative response and decreased visual acuity. Because of potential systemic and ocular complications of lipemia retinalis, these patients should be referred for management of their lipid disorder.
Nagra
Parveen K
PK
Retina Service, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ho
Allen C
AC
Dugan
John D
JD
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004035:Diet Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006954:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D011345:Fenofibrate