A Study Of Correlation Of Plasma Homocysteine With Serum Lipid Profile In Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose: Both hyperhomocysteinemia and dyslipidaemia are considered as an independent risk factor in retinal vein occlusion. This study was done to find out the correlation of plasma homocysteine with serum lipids in patients with retinal vein occlusion. Material & Methods: A total of 84 retinal vein occlusion cases and 65 age and sex matched controls were assayed to explore the relationship of plasma homocysteine with serum lipid profiles in this observational, cross sectional, open, comparative, eight month study. Results: Plasma homocysteine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol levels were elevated significantly (P <0.001) and HDL cholesterol was decreased significantly (P <0.001) in the patients with RVO as opposed to the control subjects. Significant negative correlation was found between homocysteine and HDL cholesterol in RVO patients (r = -0.273, P < 0.029). Conclusions: Patients with low HDL cholesterol should be screened for HHcys as association of low HDL cholesterol and HHcys might have a synergistic effect on the retinal circulation. Future study is needed to see whether treatment of HHcys will increase the HDL cholesterol level and that can be an important preventive measure against development as well as treatment of retinal vein occlusion.