Yes, high cholesterol can show visible signs in and around your eyes. These signs include yellow bumps on your eyelids, gray or white rings around your cornea, and vision problems caused by blocked blood vessels. Your eyes are one of the first places to warn you about high cholesterol levels in your body.
Most people think about heart disease when they hear “high cholesterol.” But your eyes can tell an important story too. In this article, we’ll explain the most common signs of high cholesterol that affect your eyes, why they happen, and what you can do about them.
Understanding How High Cholesterol Affects Your Eyes
Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body needs to build cells and make hormones. But when you have too much “bad” cholesterol (called LDL), it can build up in your blood vessels. This includes the tiny blood vessels in and around your eyes.
According to the CDC, about 11% of American adults have high total cholesterol. Many don’t know it because cholesterol often causes no symptoms at first. But sometimes, your eyes give you clues.
When cholesterol deposits form around your eyes or block blood flow to them, you might notice changes in how your eyes look or how well you see. Let’s look at the most common signs.
Yellow Bumps Around Your Eyes (Xanthelasma)
One of the clearest high cholesterol signs in the eyes is yellow bumps on or near your eyelids. Doctors call these bumps “xanthelasma.”
What They Look Like:
Xanthelasma appears as soft, yellowish bumps that usually form near the inner corners of your upper and lower eyelids. They can be flat or slightly raised. Sometimes they’re small, like a grain of rice. Other times, they spread into larger patches.
These high cholesterol bumps on the eyes are painless and don’t affect your vision directly. But many people want them removed because they’re noticeable.
Who Gets Them:
About half of the people with xanthelasma have abnormal cholesterol levels. The bumps are more common in women than men and usually appear between the ages of 40 and 50.
You’re more likely to develop high cholesterol lumps on your eyes if you:
- Have high LDL cholesterol
- Have diabetes
- Have thyroid problems
- Have a family history of high cholesterol
- Smoke or drink heavily
What They Mean for Your Health:
Even though these high cholesterol bumps under the eyes don’t hurt, they can signal bigger problems. People with xanthelasma have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Think of them as your body’s way of showing you what’s happening inside your blood vessels.
If you notice yellow bumps around your eyes, schedule a comprehensive eye exam to check your overall eye health. Your eye doctor can also recommend that you see your regular doctor for cholesterol testing.
Gray or White Rings Around Your Cornea (Arcus Senilis)
Another sign of high cholesterol and eyes is a gray, white, or blue ring around the colored part of your eye (the cornea). This is called arcus senilis or corneal arcus.
What It Looks Like:
The ring forms near the outer edge of the cornea and can be bluish, grayish, or white. It might start at the top or bottom of your eye, then slowly spread until it makes a complete circle. These rings around the eyes from high cholesterol don’t blur your vision or cause pain.
Age Matters:
Arcus senilis is common in older adults and usually harmless. But if you’re under 50 and you see this ring, it’s a red flag. In younger people, the presence of this ring should prompt a check of cholesterol levels.
Why It Happens?
The ring forms when cholesterol and other fats leak into the edge of your cornea. Your body can’t clear them away fast enough, so they build up and create a visible deposit.
If you notice high cholesterol white spots under the eyes or rings forming, don’t ignore them. They might be warning you that your cholesterol levels need attention.
Vision Problems from Blocked Blood Vessels
The most serious signs of high cholesterol in the eyes involve your blood vessels. When cholesterol blocks the tiny vessels that feed your retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye), you can lose vision.
Retinal Vein Occlusion:
This happens when fatty deposits block the small veins that carry blood away from your retina, causing swelling or bleeding that damages vision. Symptoms include:
- Sudden blurry vision in one eye
- Dark spots or floaters
- Loss of side vision
- Eye pain
This condition is more common in people over 50 who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Retinal Artery Occlusion:
This is even more serious. When a cholesterol plaque blocks an artery in your eye, it cuts off oxygen to your retina tissue, which can cause quick and permanent vision loss. This is like having a stroke in your eye.
Warning signs include:
- Sudden, painless vision loss in one eye
- A gray or dark area in your field of vision
- Complete blindness in one eye (in severe cases)
This is a medical emergency. If you experience sudden vision loss, go to the emergency room right away.
Hollenhorst Plaques:
Sometimes during an eye exam, your doctor might spot tiny, yellowish cholesterol deposits stuck in your retinal blood vessels. These are called Hollenhorst plaques.
These plaques signal a serious problem because they typically break off from larger blockages in your neck arteries and travel to your eye. If a bigger piece travels to your brain instead, it could cause a stroke.
You can’t see or feel these plaques yourself. That’s why regular eye exams are so important, especially if you have risk factors for high cholesterol.
Other High Cholesterol Spots on Eyes
Beyond the main signs, there are a few other ways high cholesterol can affect your eyes:
Blurry Vision:
When cholesterol builds up in your eye’s blood vessels, it can reduce blood flow. This might cause your vision to become blurry or fuzzy. You might notice it’s harder to see details or read small print.
Eye Strain and Fatigue:
Poor blood flow from cholesterol deposits can make your eyes work harder. This can lead to:
- Tired, achy eyes
- Headaches after reading or computer work
- Difficulty focusing
Dry Eyes:
Some research suggests a link between high cholesterol and dry eye problems. If your eyes feel gritty, burn, or water excessively, it might be worth checking your cholesterol levels.
What Causes High Cholesterol to Show Up in Your Eyes?
Several factors make you more likely to develop visible signs of high cholesterol:
Poor Diet: Eating too many foods high in saturated fats and trans fats raises your LDL cholesterol. Think fried foods, fatty meats, butter, and processed snacks.
Lack of Exercise: Not moving enough lets cholesterol build up in your blood vessels. Regular activity helps your body clear out excess cholesterol.
Genetics: Some people inherit genes that make their bodies produce too much cholesterol or can’t remove it properly. This is called familial hypercholesterolemia.
Other Health Conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disease, and kidney problems can all raise your cholesterol levels.
Age and Gender: Cholesterol tends to rise with age. Women often see an increase after menopause.
What to Do If You Notice These Signs
If you see any high cholesterol bumps around the eyes, rings, or experience vision changes, take action:
1. Get Your Eyes Checked
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Hampden Optical. Our experienced optometrists can spot early signs of cholesterol-related eye problems and refer you for additional testing if needed.
2. Test Your Cholesterol
Ask your doctor for a lipid panel blood test. This measures your:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Adults should get tested every 4 to 6 years. If you have risk factors, you may need testing more often.
3. Make Lifestyle Changes
You can lower cholesterol naturally by:
- Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Choosing fish and lean meats over fatty red meat
- Using olive oil instead of butter
- Exercising for 30 minutes most days
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol
4. Consider Medical Treatment
Sometimes diet and exercise aren’t enough. Your doctor might prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. These drugs can dramatically reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
For the yellow bumps (xanthelasma), treatment options include:
- Laser removal
- Surgical removal
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen
- Chemical peels
However, these bumps often come back if you don’t control your cholesterol levels.
How Often Should You Get Eye Exams?
Regular eye exams are your best defense against vision loss from high cholesterol. Here’s what we recommend:
- Ages 20-39: Every 2-3 years if you have no risk factors
- Ages 40-64: Every 1-2 years
- Age 65 and older: Every year
- High-risk patients: Yearly, regardless of age
At Hampden Optical, our team uses advanced tools to examine your eye health thoroughly. We look for early warning signs of cholesterol problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
Schedule your appointment today to protect your vision and overall health.
Can High Cholesterol Affect Your Eyes Permanently?
The answer depends on which sign we’re talking about:
Yellow bumps and rings: These don’t damage your vision. They’re mainly cosmetic concerns, though they signal health risks.
Blocked blood vessels: These can cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly. Time matters. The sooner you get help, the better your chances of saving your sight.
Hollenhorst plaques: These warn of stroke risk but may not affect your vision unless they cause a blockage.
The key is catching problems early through regular screenings and managing your cholesterol levels before serious damage occurs.
Final Thoughts
Your eyes can reveal important clues about your cholesterol levels and overall health. Yellow bumps on eyelids, gray rings around your corneas, and sudden vision changes are all signs worth paying attention to.
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. If you notice any high cholesterol signs in your eyes, take action now. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Hampden Optical in Mechanicsburg, PA. Our caring team will examine your eyes, answer your questions, and help you maintain healthy vision for years to come.
Remember: When you see clearly, you live fully. Let us help you protect both your vision and your health.
Ready to take control of your eye health? Contact Hampden Optical today to schedule your appointment. We’re here to help you see your best!
