The eyes can also be affected in ways that don’t change the way you see.
One such example is the most common cholesterol-related eye problemxanthelasma, a yellowing of the skin around the eyes.
However, having too much cholesterol in your blood can negatively affect your health.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Some common symptoms of high cholesterol can appear in and around your eyes.
The deposits are due to a buildup of cholesterol under the skin.
Xanthelasmas do not affect your vision.
About half of the people who have xanthelasmas have high cholesterol.
They are common in females of Asian or Mediterranean descent.
Xanthelasmas are more common if you:
Arcus Senilis
A condition calledarcus seniliscan also indicate high cholesterol.
The ring will appear around the colored part of the eye (iris).
At first, arcus senilis may only show up at the top and bottom of your cornea.
Eventually, it can form a full ring around the cornea.
Not every person with arcus senilis has high cholesterol.
However, if your family has a history of high cholesterol, youre more likely to develop arcus senilis.
Arcus senilis is more common in middle age.
As they get older, many adults will eventually develop arcus senilis.
Youre also more likely to get arcus senilis if you are a man or Black.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Theretinais a light-sensitive tissue in the back of your eye.
The retina receives its blood supply through the retinal artery and retinal vein.
When the vein becomes blocked, its called a retinal vein occlusion.
If the artery becomes blocked, its called aretinal artery occlusionalso known as a stroke.
When the vein is blocked, blood and fluid spill out into the retina.
When this happens, the area of the retina called themaculamay become swollen.
The swelling affects your central vision.
High cholesterol is also common in people with retinal vein occlusion.
This plaque is more common in older adults.
A Hollenhorst plaque may indicate a larger clot or blockage in the carotid artery.
Strokes can also be fatal.
Aneye examcan help them pinpoint what is causing your eyesight to change.
If your eye doctor is not available,go to the emergency room.
The conditions that can change how your eyes looksuch as arcus senilisdo not affect your vision.
Other more serious conditions, like an eye stroke, can lead to vision loss.
If they are not available, go to the emergency room for treatment.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is xanthelasma?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is arcus senilis?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.High blood pressure, high cholesterol may be linked to retinal vein occlusion.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cholesterol embolus.
State University of New York College of Optometry.Cholesterol and your eyes and vision.
