Potential Value of Novel Lipid-Derived Indicator as a Biomarker for Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

This study aimed to assess the role of novel lipid-related indices in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and investigate the correlation between these indices and NAION severity.

All participants underwent comprehensive ocular examinations and serum lipid analysis. Novel lipid-related indices, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)/HDL-C ratio, and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, were calculated using traditional lipid parameters and subsequently compared between patients with NAION and control participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive values of these indices. Correlations between novel lipid-related indices and NAION severity were also investigated.

Forty-four patients with NAION and 42 control participants were included in this study. The levels of AIP and TyG were significantly elevated in patients with NAION compared to control participants, whereas the traditional lipid parameters in both groups remained within normal limits. The areas under the ROC curves for AIP and TyG were 0.725 and 0.758, respectively. Additionally, no significant correlations were observed among AIP, TyG, best-corrected visual acuity, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and mean deviation on visual field test.

Elevated levels of AIP and TyG were observed in patients with NAION in this study, suggesting that AIP and TyG may serve as systemic metabolic risk markers significantly associated with NAION.

The findings of this study help us better understand the underlying mechanisms of NAION and improve its diagnosis and management.