Cholesterol, a type of lipid or fat, is a waxy substance naturally found in the body. While cholesterol plays a role in the functioning of many cells in the body, it also gathers in your blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart and other diseases, as noted on MayoClinic.com. High cholesterol levels may damage your eyes as well as your heart.
Xanthoma
Collections of fat under the skin are called xanthomas; these are commonly seen around the eye or on the eyelids, as noted by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. The presence of xanthomas may indicate high cholesterol levels or other types of lipid disorders. Treatment of the lipid disorder may lead to a cure for the xanthomas. You may also have them removed through medication or surgery if they bother you -- either for cosmetic reasons or for functional reasons.
Corneal Arcus
High cholesterol may cause corneal arcus, which looks like a white or gray ring around the edge of the cornea. Arcus is common with age but it is associated with high cholesterol and lipids in younger people, according to the Digital Reference of Ophthalmology. If you develop a corneal arcus and are under the age of 40, get checked for elevated blood lipids because your risk of heart disease is significantly increased. Specific treatment of corneal arcus is usually not necessary.
Retinal Arterial Occlusion
Retinal arterial occlusion often leads to significant vision loss and occurs when a blood clot, piece of fat, or plaque gets lodged in one of the arteries in the back of the eye, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you have high blood lipids or cholesterol levels, you are at higher risk. The amount of damage to your eye depends on how long the blockage lasts and which blood vessel in the eye is affected. Your physician may want to complete a workup to determine if you have high cholesterol levels after you develop a retinal arterial occlusion because you are at higher risk for having a stroke as well.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Another condition associated with cholesterol that may lead to eye damage is retinal vein occlusion. In retinal vein occlusion, the blood vessels that carry blood out of the eyes are blocked, causing blood to back up and overflow into the retina. Typically the eye vein is compressed by a hardened artery -- the artery may have been damaged by high blood pressure, diabetic changes, or high cholesterol levels, as noted on RetinaSpec.com. The area of the retina that is affected by the blockage may develop swelling and bleeding; the damage to the retina may be long-term. Treatment of a retinal vein occlusion includes laser therapy, medication, and management of other conditions like high cholesterol or blood pressure.
