New Risk Markers Associated with NAION Discovered

These charts from the study show the ROC curves for the four biomarkers studied: atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, total triglycerides (TG) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio. AIP and TyG levels were determined to be associated with NAION, but elevated levels were not positively correlated with disease severity. Photo: Cong C, et al. Trans. Vis. Sci. Tech. 2026;15:2:7. Click image to enlarge. In eye care, many variables impact the homeostasis of the eye while simultaneously promoting the development of disease. Biomarkers can be imperative in the identification and prevention of progressive diseases, especially in eye care. To further expand the knowledge on relationships between risk factors and ocular conditions, investigators from China recently published their findings on biomarkers associated with the progression towards optic neuropathy.The researchers examined levels of novel lipid-related indices in participants with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) vs. controls. Blood samples were taken to evaluate three indicators: atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index.  AIP, derived from fasting triglyceride level, is a measure of lipid metabolism that reflects cardiovascular disease risk (higher numbers are worse).Besides a comparison of results, levels obtained from the sample evaluation were analyzed on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, which researchers performed to better determine predictive values of these indicators. An area under the ROC curve of 1 is excellent and failure is represented by 0.5.After sampling 44 patients with NAION and 42 control subjects, the researchers encountered significant results from particular indices. AIP and TyG levels were significantly elevated in patients with NAION compared to those in the control. These indicators had similarly fair areas under the ROC curve values (AIP=0.73; TyG=0.76), while HDL-C had a poor value (0.67).“The exact mechanism linking AIP, TyG and NAION remains unclear,” said the researchers in their paper. “We speculate that the atherogenic lipid profile and insulin resistance represented by AIP and TyG may affect the microvascular system supplying the optic nerve by promoting vascular endothelial dysfunction and vascular hemodynamic imbalance, eventually leading to NAION.”Although significant results were observed to confirm an association between novel lipid-related indicators and NAION, no significant correlations were observed. Each patient was administered a comprehensive ocular examination at the start of the investigation, which provided researchers with visual parameters. However, no correlation was discovered between AIP, TyG, best-corrected visual acuity, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and mean deviation on the visual field test.“The levels of AIP and TyG may be elevated in patients with NAION, which indicated that the two novel lipid-derived indicators may serve as systemic metabolic risk markers significantly associated with NAION,” concluded the researchers in their paper. “The findings of this study emphasize the importance of lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of NAION and provide valuable insights, which may improve its diagnosis and treatment.” Click here for the journal source. Cong C, Yan W, Liu Y, et al. Potential value of novel lipid-derived indicator as a biomarker for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Trans. Vis. Sci. Tech. 2026;15:2:7. This article was developed by the editorial staff in conjunction with experts in the field. In the process, AI may have been among the editorial tools used to meet the goals of human editors, who approved all content.