Lipemia retinalis

Abstract

A 39-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. After admission to the hospital, the patient was diagnosed with pancreatitis. The cause of the pancreatitis was caused by his chronic alcohol abuse. The patient also had a triglyceride level of 23 000 (normal <600) that caused eruptive xanthomas on his body (Figure 1). A red top vial of blood from the patient showed lipemic serum (Figure 2). The patient had no ocular complaints but was seen to rule out lipemia retinalis. Examination revealed visual acuity of 20/20 in both eyes with normal intraocular pressures. The slit lamp examination was within normal limits. Fundus examination of both eyes revealed a lightening of the background fundus and creamy white appearance of the retinal blood vessels. Differentiation between arteries and veins was difficult (Figures 3A-C). After two days of treatment with fluids and medications, the patient's hyperlipidemia resolved and his fundus returned to normal (Figure 4A-B).