Background & Aims: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and homocysteine (Hcy) levels are now widely accepted as key events in the development of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis results from thickening and stiffening of arterial wall. If this thickening occurs in retinal arterials, it is called retinal arteries arteriosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of serum Lp(a) and Hcy as risk factors of retina arteriosclerosis compared to the control group.

Materials & Methods: The study group consisted of 60 men (mean age 64.3±6.8) with retina arteriosclerosis proven by slit lamp biomicroscope with superfiled lens and the control group consisted of 54 healthy men (mean age 66.7±8.0) that had no history for coronary heart diseases, diabetes, or other metabolic diseases. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentration were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Lp(a) was assayed by turbidimetric procedure and Hcy concentration was measured by ELISA method.

Results:�Statistically significant differences were observed between the patients and the control group in lipid profile, Lp(a) and Hcy (p<0.05 in all cases) except in HDL-C levels, while there was no meaningful difference between the mean serum Lp(a), Hcy, and lipid profile in different grades of retinal arteriosclerosis (p>0.05 in all cases). A significant correlation between Lp(a), and arteriosclerosis grades (p<0.01 , r=0.61), Hcy and arteriosclerosis grade (p<0.01, r=0.72) and between Lp(a) and Hcy (p<0.01, r=0.67), levels were found.

Conclusion: Results of this study suggest the association of increased serum levels of Lp(a) and Hcy with pathogenesis of retinal arteriosclerosis. These finding suggest that measurement of serum Lp(a) and Hcy concentrations could be a useful laboratory method in confirmatory diagnosis and treatment of retinal arteriosclerosis.