eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Metabolic Disorders

Hyperlipoproteinemia: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 14, 2007

Differential Diagnoses

Xanthelasma

Other Problems to Be Considered

Differentiate the primary and secondary forms of hyperlipoproteinemia.

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Measure plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels while the patient is on a regular diet after an overnight fast of 12-16 hours. Abnormal lipoprotein patterns can often be identified after determining serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and visual inspection of the plasma sample (stored at 4°C).
  • In some cases, performing electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation of whole plasma specimens may be necessary to help establish a diagnosis.

Imaging Studies

  • Ophthalmologists generally do not order imaging studies.

More on Hyperlipoproteinemia

Overview: Hyperlipoproteinemia
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Hyperlipoproteinemia
Treatment & Medication: Hyperlipoproteinemia
Follow-up: Hyperlipoproteinemia
References

References

  1. Bron AJ. Corneal changes in the dislipoproteinaemias. Cornea. 1989;8(2):135-40. [Medline].

  2. Brownstein S, Jackson WB, Onerheim RM. Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy in association with hyperlipoproteinemia: histopathological and ultrastructural findings. Can J Ophthalmol. Aug 1991;26(5):273-9. [Medline].

  3. Crispin SM. Lipid deposition at the limbus. Eye. 1989;3 (Pt 2):240-50. [Medline].

  4. Feldman EB. Nutrition and diet in relation to hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. In: Shields M, Olson JA, Shike M. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 8th ed. 1992.

  5. Gronemeyer A, Arsene S, Le Lez ML, Rateau J. [Central retinal artery occlusion or branch retinal artery occlusion in the young associated with high lipoprotein (a) levels]. J Fr Ophtalmol. Sep 2002;25(7):727-30. [Medline].

  6. Jünemann A, Küchle M, Naumann GO. Epithelial iron line in juvenile corneal arcus lipoides. Cornea. Sep 1995;14(5):540-2. [Medline].

  7. Wu CW, Lin PY, Liu YF, Liu TC, Lin MW, Chen WM, et al. Central corneal mosaic opacities in Schnyder's crystalline dystrophy. Ophthalmology. Apr 2005;112(4):650-3. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

hyperlipidemia, chylomicronemia, hypercholesterolemia, dysbetalipoproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipoproteinemia, combined hyperlipoproteinemia, high cholesterol

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Vytautas A Pakainis, MD, Chief of Ophthalmology, Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Vytautas A Pakainis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and South Carolina Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Steve Charles, MD, Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Macula Society, and Retina Society
Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

James P Gills, MD, Founder, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida College of Medicine
James P Gills, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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