Although a blood test is the best way to check cholesterol levels, an eye exam may also indicate high cholesterol levels, or hypercholesterolemia. Cholesterol accumulates in the cornea of the eye, according to an article in the 1996 "Journal of Lipid Research" by P. Gaynor. The cornea is a dome-shaped piece of connective tissue that covers the iris, the colored part of the eye, and the pupil. Cholesterol deposits in the cornea can be significant in younger people, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Diagnosis
Arcus cornealis is the deposit of lipid, including cholesterol, in the layers of the cornea known as the stroma. The deposit appears as a gray or white arc in the cornea above and below the outer part of the cornea, according to the Mayo Clinic. Arcus cornealis is also known as arcus senilius. This is a common finding in people as they age, and doesn't necessarily mean they have high cholesterol. It is, however, a significant finding in younger people with a family history of high cholesterol and high triglycerides; the arc may circle the entire cornea, a condition known as circumferential arcus, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Significance
High cholesterol levels in the blood can be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. A buildup of cholesterol deposits forms a plaque, which decreases the size of the lumen, the inside of the blood vessel. Eventually, blood flow can be restricted to areas of the heart. In younger people, arcus cornealis may indicate an inherited tendency toward early buildup of plaque that needs treatment. People with familial hypercholesterolemia are more likely to have heart attacks at a younger age, due to their high levels of "bad" cholesterol, LDL. LDL isn't properly removed from the bloodstream due to an inherited gene defect, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Treatment
The presence of cholesterol in the cornea isn't harmful to the eye, and doesn't interfere with vision; it is a common condition in people as they age and requires no treatment. It can, however, indicate that cholesterol levels are higher than normal in younger people, especially those with a family history of high cholesterol, and that cholesterol could be accumulating in blood vessels. Treatment is aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels with medications called statins.
