Regarding optic atrophy, multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk factors for optic atrophy were diabetes duration (OR (95%C.I); 2.001 (1.265–3.164)), serum cholesterol (OR (95%C.I); 1.176 (1.042 - 1.328)), AEG-1 gene's mRNA expression (OR (95%C.I); 1.166 (1.107 - 1.229)) and AEG-1 protein (OR (95%C.I); 2.239 (1.395 - 3.591)), while HDL-c was a protective factor (OR (95%C.I); 0.833 (0.712 - 0.974)). The gene discussed is MTDH; the disease is diabetes mellitus.