Quality of vision: How high cholesterol affects the eyes

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High blood cholesterol increases the risk development of cardiovascular diseases. However, it can also have a negative impact on the organs of vision.

Cholesterol deposits around the eyes

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common way cholesterol affects on the eyes there is the presence of xanthelasma, small yellowish fat deposits on the skin, usually on the eyelids. In most cases, these deposits do not cause pain, but if they grow, they can cause significant discomfort.

Corneal arc

Arcus senilis, also called corneal arcus , is a condition in which a white or grayish ring or halo appears on the periphery of the cornea that protects the eyes. This ring is the result of cholesterol deposits in the organs of vision.

Hollenhorst plaques

More worrisome is the development of a Hollenhorst plaque, a blockage of one of the blood vessels in the eye. Sometimes such a plaque blocks a blood vessel in the retina. “This can cause occlusion of the retinal artery, which can lead to vision problems or even vision loss,” experts note.