Cholesterol imbalances don’t happen by accident. They’re often caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, chronic stress, or genetics. Modern lifestyles with fast food, processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of exercise are causing high cholesterol levels to rise, even in young people.
Most people don’t realize they have high cholesterol until they get tested because the condition often has no obvious symptoms. However, high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood can cause problems when it starts to build up in the eyes
What are the signs of high cholesterol in the eyes?
There are three warning signs of high cholesterol in the eyes, including:
1. White, gray, and yellow deposits forming around the cornea (Arcus Senilis)
One of the most typical signs is the appearance of a white, light gray, or yellow hazy ring around the outer edge of the cornea, called an arcus senilis.
This ring is usually painless and does not affect vision, but is a warning that blood cholesterol levels are high. If this sign appears in young people, especially those under 50, they should have their blood tested immediately to rule out the risk of underlying cardiovascular disease.
2. Blurred vision
High cholesterol can lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques that block small blood vessels in the retina. As a result, the patient may feel blurred vision, poor vision, or a veil over the eyes. If this condition persists without timely treatment, it can lead to permanent retinal damage.
3. Yellow nodules around the eyes (Xanthelasma)
This is the phenomenon of the appearance of pale yellow, soft and slightly raised patches or nodules, often concentrated in the upper or lower eyelid area. Although not painful or affecting vision, they are cholesterol accumulated in the subcutaneous tissue, a typical sign of lipid disorders.
The appearance of eyelid xanthelasma shows that your body has a higher than normal level of blood fat and needs to be checked early.
How does high cholesterol harm the eyes?
High cholesterol is not only harmful to the cardiovascular system but also directly affects the structure and function of the eyes, especially the small blood vessels that nourish the retina.
Here are three common eye problems that are closely linked to lipid disorders:
1. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Macular degeneration is a common condition in older adults in which cells in the macula (the center of the retina) are damaged, leading to a gradual loss of central vision. One cause may be the accumulation of drusen, which are small, yellowish fatty deposits of lipids that are deposited under the retina. When drusen are present in large numbers, they can be a sign of early-stage macular degeneration, making it difficult for the patient to see details such as writing, faces, or small objects.
2. Retinal vein occlusion
When cholesterol and other excess fats in the blood break down, they can block blood vessels in the retina. This causes sudden blurred vision, partial or total loss of vision. Some cases of damage can be reversed, but many patients face permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
3. Corneal Arc
As mentioned above, corneal arc is a hazy ring around the cornea caused by cholesterol deposits. Although it does not affect vision, it is an alarming sign of cardiovascular risk. This is one of the earliest and most easily recognizable manifestations of lipid disorders, especially in young people.
Tips to prevent high cholesterol and protect eye health
Here are some effective, easy-to-apply daily measures to control and prevent high cholesterol:
- Eat healthy: Prioritize foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), nuts and vegetable oils (such as olive oil). These foods help provide lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E – which help protect the eyes from damage and reduce the risk of drusen formation.
- Limit bad fats: Avoid foods containing saturated fats (red meat, fried foods, animal butter) and trans fats (often found in processed industrial foods). Instead, use unsaturated fats from plants or fish to maintain stable blood lipids.
- Drink enough water: At least 1.5 liters per day helps blood circulate better, reduces the risk of blood clots and supports more effective cholesterol metabolism.
- Exercise regularly: 30 minutes/day with simple exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming… can increase HDL (good cholesterol) and reduce LDL (bad cholesterol).
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol: These are two factors that disrupt lipid metabolism and accelerate the aging process of blood vessels as well as damage to the retina.
