Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To investigate the presence and significance of systemic lipids in Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) complicated with choroidal neovazcularization (CNV) and lipid exudate (LE). Methods: We prospectively evaluated systemic lipids in ARMD with: CNV associated with (30 patients) and without LE (30 patients); with active (30 patients) and inactive disciform scar (30 patients); with geographic atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (GARPE) (30 patients) and in patients 60 years of age or older without systemic or retinal pathology (normal subjects) (30 patients). Results: The CNV with LE group showed increased serum: total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low–density lipoproteins (VLDL). By t–test analysis these increased serum lipid levels were statistically significant when compared with normal subjects (p<0.01) and with subjects in the CNV without LE group (p<0.05). Cholesterol showed statistically significant increased levels in the CNV with LE group when compared with the rest of the groups (p<0.01). Except for the group of CNV with LE, most lipid elements did not show statistically significant increased levels in the rest of the groups when compared with normal subjects. Conclusions: Results suggest that CNV with LE in patients with ARMD is highly associated with significant systemic lipid abnormalities and perhaps with a higher risk of developing circulatory problems. Results also suggest that serum lipid control might not represent a protection factor against ARMD.
Keywords: lipids • macula/fovea • retina