Cholesterol & The Eyes | Healthy Aging Month

We know that certain types of cholesterol are unhealthy and may increase risk of heart disease. Did you also know that cholesterol can affect your eyes as well?
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What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found naturally in our bodies. It is also in certain foods, such as meat, cheese, and egg yolks. 
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Our bodies need a certain amount of cholesterol to make vitamin D and hormones. The problem occurs when too much cholesterol circulates in the blood. This can cause plaque to form in our arteries and interfere with proper blood flow to vital organs.
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How Cholesterol May Affect Our Eyes

Cholesterol that builds up in our bodies can affect our eyes in a few different ways, including the following:
 
Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma is yellow fatty lumps or deposits that accumulate beneath the skin on the lower or upper eyelids. The fatty deposits contain lipids (fats), including cholesterol. Although xanthelasma does not affect vision, it can become large and disfiguring in some cases.
 
Treatment for xanthelasma may vary, but can include cryotherapy. This involves freezing the fatty deposits off. Laser surgery or traditional surgery may also be options.
 
Type 2 Diabetes
High cholesterol levels, along with obesity, are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with a higher risk of a few eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss.
 
Having diabetes also puts you at an increased risk of other eye problems. For example, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing cataracts.
 
Renal Artery Occlusion
A renal artery occlusion involves blockage of the blood to the retina. It can occur if a blood clot or piece of cholesterol breaks off and travels to the retinal artery. The embolism, as it’s called, blocks the oxygen-rich blood flow to the eye and can lead to vision loss. The condition is also called eye stroke. When it occurs due to cholesterol, it is also associated with an increased risk of a life-threatening stroke to the brain. 
 
Symptoms of a renal artery occlusion include sudden, painless loss of vision. The extent of the vision loss may depend on the size of the embolus. Treatment may vary and is not always effective. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, for treatment to be potentially effective, it must be administered within six hours of when symptoms started. As such, it’s imperative to see an eye surgeon as soon as possible.
 
Corneal Arcus
Corneal arcus involves an accumulation of cholesterol around the edge of the cornea. It causes a grayish ring around the cornea. In some instances, the coloring can fill in the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. The condition usually affects both eyes.
 
Corneal arcus does not impact vision, but it affects the appearance of the eyes. There is no cure for corneal arcus, but lowering cholesterol levels can prevent the condition from becoming worse.
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Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels

When cholesterol affects the eyes, it is often difficult to treat. Certain eye complications of high cholesterol can affect the appearance of the eye or even lead to vision loss. That’s why keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level is important to prevent eye problems, and heart problems, from developing.
 
There are several things you can do to prevent high cholesterol, including:

• Knowing your numbers: Although cholesterol gets a bad rap, it is not all the same. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered bad or unhealthy cholesterol. A build-up in the blood increases your risk of heart disease and eye complications. But high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol provides some protection against heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor about having a cholesterol test every year to determine your levels of both LDL and HDL, as well as the ratio of the two in your system.
• Limiting foods high in trans-fat and saturated fats: Foods high in saturated fats and trans-fat can raise your low-density cholesterol. Limit foods like fatty meats, cheese, and fried foods.
• Exercising: Exercise is important to raise your HDL or ‘good’ cholesterols level. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise four or five days a week.
• Eating foods high in fiber: Fiber may help decrease LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels in the body. Eat a variety of fiber-filled foods, such as fresh veggies, whole grains, and fruit.

• Quitting smoking: Smoking alters the way the body handles cholesterol. If you smoke, it may contribute to faster blockage of the arteries from plague.

 
If you have high cholesterol or high cholesterol runs in your family, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Keeping your cholesterol level in check is not only good for your eyes, but also your overall health. If you have any questions about cholesterol and your eyes or you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call us at 508-746-8600.
 
We hope you found our coverage of Healthy Aging Month helpful. Check back soon for our upcoming October blog posts.