Electrophysiological changes in lipaemia retinalis.
OBJECTIVE
To report the electrophysiologic findings in a patient with lipaemia retinalis.


METHODS
Observational case report.


METHODS
An 11-year-old girl with diabetes had hyperlipidemia and presented for ophthalmologic consultation. Fundus examinations revealed milky discoloration of retinal vessels in both eyes. Laboratory testing disclosed hyperglycemia and markedly elevated level of triglycerides and cholesterol. Although the visual acuity was not affected, the electroretinograms showed decrease amplitudes of a- and b-wave in both cone and rod responses.


RESULTS
After correction of blood sugar and lipids with insulin and diet control, the lipaemia retinalis resolved, and the impaired ERG response reversed within 1 week.


CONCLUSIONS
Lipaemia retinalis usually resolves rapidly without visual impairment after correction of hyperlipidemia. The reversible deficits of electroretinogram response in lipaemia retinalis are reported for the first time. High level of triglycerides or cholesterol or both may impair retinal function. The mechanism of an impaired electroretinogram remained speculative.
Lu
Chao-Kung
CK
Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, #201 Section 2 Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Chen
Shih-Jen
SJ
Niu
Dau-Ming
DM
Tsai
Chia-Chen
CC
Lee
Fenq-Lih
FL
Hsu
Wen-Ming
WM
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D004035:Diet Therapy; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000502:physiology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol