Correlation of atherogenic risk factors with retinal artery occlusion in adults

To evaluate correlation of atherogenic risk factors between patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and matched population, including those with central RAO and branch RAO.

Seventy-two participants from 2 groups were evaluated: a group with diagnosed RAO (first group; 45 participants) and a matched control group including those without RAO or any other ophthalmological disease (second group; 27 participants). From those with diagnosed RAO patients with central RAO and patients with branch RAO were evaluated separately. Additional parameters that were observed included body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, triglycerides, LDL and HDL cholesterol fractions levels, presence of metabolic syndrome and hyperlipoproteinemia.

There was a significant increase of LDL mean values in the group of patients with RAO. Hypertension (88.9%), hyperlipoproteinemia (68.9%) and metabolic syndrome (53.3%) were significantly more frequent in patients with RAO, while gender and diabetes mellitus were not in direct correlation with the development of RAO. The group of patients with RAO had no significantly higher values of BMI compared to the control. High density lipoprotein fraction was significantly higher in the group of patients with central RAO as compared with those with branch RAO.

Patients with atherogenic risk factors are more prone to the development of RAO. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HDL had more protective effects on smaller blood vessels (branch retinal artery) than on larger blood vessels (central retinal artery).