From the Research
Arcus senilis is a grayish-white ring or arc that forms around the cornea of the eye, caused by fat deposits in the cornea's outer edge, and is generally harmless, but may indicate high cholesterol levels or other lipid disorders in younger individuals, especially those with a family history of high cholesterol, and should prompt medical evaluation to identify and manage any underlying lipid abnormalities that might increase cardiovascular risk. This condition is most commonly seen in older adults, which is why it's also called arcus senilis (senile arc) 1. In people over 60, it's considered a normal age-related change. However, when it appears in younger individuals (under 40), it may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary artery disease (CAD), as suggested by studies such as the Framingham Heart Study 1. Some key points to consider about arcus senilis include:
- It is a lipid-rich deposit at the corneoscleral limbus that shares some similarities with the lipid deposition of atherosclerosis 1
- The ring develops because lipids accumulate in the peripheral cornea, creating the visible opaque appearance
- While arcus senilis itself doesn't need treatment, younger patients with this finding should have their cholesterol levels checked to identify and manage any underlying lipid abnormalities that might increase cardiovascular risk 2, 3
- The relationship between arcus senilis and cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol and hypertension, is still being studied, and more research is needed to fully understand the association between the two 4, 5