Diabetic retinopathy and lipid abnormalities

The relationship of serum lipid levels and diabetic retinopathy has interested clinicians for several decades. Data from both a population-based study of diabetic retinopathy and a controlled, randomized trial of laser photocoagulation and aspirin treatment in diabetic retinopathy have provided further information regarding the importance of the role of serum lipids in patients with elevated serum lipid levels and diabetic retinopathy. Retinal hard exudate, which is accompanied by macular edema, is associated with elevated serum lipid levels. Although the data are observational, visual loss is likely to be associated with retinal hard exudate and serum lipid abnormalities. These relationships are evaluated in the analyses of the data from the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study.