Role of hyperhomocysteinemia in the progression of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

: The aim of this study was to determine the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in the progression of diabetic retinopathy and to determine the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with various grades of diabetic retinopathy.Diabetic retinopathy is the most common ocular complication of Diabetes mellitus. Various studies have shown that mild elevations of homocysteine in plasma are associated with an increased risk of vaso-occlusive disease, thrombosis, and stroke.: A total of 97 patients who were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy from October 2018 to September 2019 were included in our study. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment examination using slit lamp biomicroscopy examination(SLE), fundoscopy using indirect ophthalmoscope and using 90D lens on slit lamp was done in all patients. Serum homocysteine was assessed in all. The data was analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results were expressed as mean, frequency and percentage. Out of 97 patients, mean serum homocysteine seen in mild non proliferative diabetic retinopathy, moderate non proliferative diabetic retinopathy, severe non proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 13.8 ± 0.33, 14.6 ± 0.44, 14.64 ± 0.41 and 15.78 ± 1.33 respectively.: In our study we found serum homocysteine levels was elevated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy when compared to non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.