Ignoring high cholesterol could be a grave mistake, as it’s a risk factor for severe health issues.
The problem occurs when plaque build-up in the arteries, potentially causing heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular problems and is usually a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices.
While a GP’s blood test can help determine levels, signs of high cholesterol can also manifest in and around the eyes. Symptoms may also appear on the hands and feet, but many might not recognise the warning signs linked to the visual organs.
Lifestyle changes can lower cholesterol, and recognising its symptoms is crucial for maintaining good health. This typically involves regular exercise, a balanced diet low in fatty foods, and giving up alcohol and cigarettes, The Mirror reports.
Eye symptoms linked to high cholesterol
1. Xanthelasma
The most common eye symptom associated with high cholesterol is xanthelasma.
According to the NHS, cholesterol can deposit around the eyes to form fatty, yellowish lumps. These appear as flat or slightly raised yellowish bumps around the eyes or near the nose.
They tend to appear on the upper and lower eyelids, near the inner corner of the eye, and often develop symmetrically around both eyes.
Deposits known as xanthelasmas, which are caused by cholesterol build-up under the skin, can be a tell-tale sign of high cholesterol levels. These lesions might stay the same size or grow very slowly and, importantly, they do not impact vision.
2. Arcus Senilis
Another indicator is arcus senilis, where a blue, white, or grey ring forms around the cornea due to cholesterol reaching the eye. This ring appears around the iris and may give the illusion of two different eye colours, but it’s simply a discolouration and doesn’t affect sight.
For older individuals, arcus senilis might not be linked to high cholesterol, but for those under 45, it often signifies severe high cholesterol.
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D, from the Mayo Clinic, noted: “an arc or ring around the iris sometimes occurs in younger people who have severe cases of high cholesterol and high triglycerides passed down through families (familial hyperlipidemia).”
He added: “In people with familial hyperlipidemia, this arc or ring typically occurs before age 45 and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.”
3. Retinal vein occlusion
Another condition to be aware of is retinal vein occlusion.
The retina, a light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye, is linked to high cholesterol and blood pressure, according to the NHS Foundation Trust’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. The retina gets its blood supply from the retinal artery and vein, and when the latter is blocked, blood and fluid leak into the retina.
This can cause swelling in the macula area of the retina, affecting vision. Those with cholesterol deposits should consult a doctor for a lipid level check.
A simple visual examination can help assess a person’s risk of high cholesterol. If there’s any doubt, your GP may send a sample to a lab for analysis.
Tests for diabetes and liver function may also be conducted, along with a possible formal cardiovascular risk assessment.
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