Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thinning is Independent of Deranged Serum Lipoprotein Levels in Diabetic Retinopathy
[1]
Khushboo Srivastav, Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India.
[2]
Sandeep Saxena, Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India.
[3]
Surabhi Ruia, Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India.
[4]
Abbas A. Mahdi, Department of Biochemistry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India.
[5]
Vinay Khanna, Indian Institute of Toxicology and Research, Lucknow, India.
Purpose: To correlate retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thinning on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with altered levels of serum lipoproteins in diabetic retinopathy. Methods: In a cross sectional observational study, 60 consecutive cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus between the age group of 40-65 years were included. Cases were divided into three groups according to ETDRS classification: diabetes without retinopathy (NO DR; n=20), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR; n=20), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR; n=20). Twenty healthy controls were included. Serum lipid profile was measured using standard protocol. Average RNFL thickness was measured using SD-OCT. Data was analyzed statistically. Results: Significant increase in serum cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides (p=0.001) and low density lipoprotein (p<0.001) was found between the study groups. Significant decrease in average RNFL thickness was also observed (p<0.001) between the study groups. However, no significant correlation was found between RNFL thinning and increase in serum levels of cholesterol (r= 0.09; p= 0.4), low density lipoprotein (r= 0.05; p= 0.6) and triglycerides (r= 0.00; p= 1.0). Conclusion: Increase in serum levels of lipoproteins is associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy, however, RNFL thinning occurs independent of deranged levels of lipoproteins. Serum lipoprotein levels cannot be considered as a surrogate marker for RNFL damage.
Retinopathy, Diabetes Mellitus, Lipid Profile, Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer, Dyslipidemia, Oxidized LDL, Lipoprotein
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