Fatty deposits that collect on the skin often form white or gray rings called xanthomas, most frequently seen on elbows, knees and hands but sometimes also thickening Achilles tendons and several others in hands.

Eye examination may reveal an arc or full circle of white, yellow, or gray rings which indicate high cholesterol, particularly among patients under 40 (arcus senilis). It has been linked with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Yellowing of the skin or small yellow fatty bumps

As people get older, arcus senilis, which involves white, yellow and gray fatty bumps on the cornea (the clear domelike covering over the front part of your eye) may form around its edges. It usually isn’t related to cholesterol levels in blood; however, younger adults who inherit high levels can sometimes be affected (familial hyperlipidemia). The condition typically appears before age 45 and increases risk for heart disease.

If your family history includes familial hypercholesterolemia, your doctor may advise undergoing regular cholesterol screenings so you can take measures to lower it before symptoms manifest themselves.

Cholesterol deposits commonly appear on the skin, typically on palms, elbows and knees. You might also see deposits in tendons of hands and feet. A grey or white ring of cholesterol may develop around your eye’s iris – this condition is called corneal arcus; typically unrelated to blood cholesterol levels unless found among young people with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Pinguecula (pin-GUH-kuh), commonly known as an eye pinguecula, does not typically indicate a problem with cholesterol; rather it’s simply a small deposit of fat and protein that’s nonpainful and easily removable. Yellowing of skin with small yellow fatty bumps could indicate liver disease or jaundice caused by inflammation (hepatitis), genetic or autoimmune conditions, medications, viruses or cancer.

Thyroid disease

If a white ring of fat begins accumulating around your cornea, this could be an early warning of high cholesterol. This condition, called arcus senilis, tends to occur among older individuals and is linked with higher risks of heart disease and strokes. A doctor can monitor your health during a dilated eye exam to check the state of your cornea – high cholesterol can even block off blood vessels that supply your retina causing sudden vision loss! Other symptoms that could indicate high cholesterol include feeling of numbness or weakness, confusion trouble with speaking or walking and headaches.

An enlarged thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) may signal a health problem related to cholesterol levels. A classic sign of hyperthyroidism is bulging eyes; however, other symptoms could include protruding nose, swollen neck glands or blurred vision as well as blurry vision itself. If these signs appear for you, medical attention must be sought immediately since thyroid diseases increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Pingueculas are yellowish fatty bumps found on the white of your eye that can be removed through simple and non-invasive procedures by your physician.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An irregular gray or white ring around the iris of an eye may indicate high cholesterol levels in people younger than 40, particularly when this condition develops early on in life. This arcus senilis typically separates from the corneal periphery by an area of clear cornea; though often developing through natural means due to ageing processes. While familial hypercholesterolemia (abnormally high cholesterol levels inherited from parents) may also play a part.

Not only can high cholesterol cause rheumatoid arthritis, but high levels may also manifest themselves with symptoms affecting vision such as blurry or loss of vision, dry eyes or blurriness in peripheral vision. An additional telltale sign of elevated levels is an enlarged thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

Once cholesterol deposits break off, they can block blood flow to the eye, leading to permanent blindness or severe vision problems such as retinal vein occlusion (which restricts blood supply backward). High cholesterol can also cause inflammation within the uveal tract (encompassing both iris and choroid), leading to blurred vision, redness of the eyes and light sensitivity.

An inflammation caused by high cholesterol levels can damage joints of the body, resulting in pain and stiffness in knees, elbows and hands. Furthermore, high cholesterol can increase fever levels as well as cause lymph nodes in neck or chest areas to swell up and become swollen.

Another condition linked to high cholesterol levels is granulomatous aortic valve valvulitis, an inflammation of the cusps and rings of an aortic valve. While this condition is generally rare, it may increase cardiac events such as heart failure and even attack.

An optimal cholesterol level should be below 200 mg/dL, with lower numbers being even better. This is especially important for individuals who have a family history of early-onset heart disease or genetic conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia; genetic testing is available to determine additional family members are at risk and to initiate treatment immediately if necessary. Regular screenings such as an annual comprehensive eye exam can detect early warning signs before they become a problem.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Subconjunctival hemorrhage can be alarming. But, most often it’s simply caused by a burst blood vessel and should not be taken seriously; though it could indicate high cholesterol, diabetes, and bleeding disorders such as excessive bleeding from taking blood thinners. A pinguecula (pin-GWEK-you-la), is also harmless but should be treated using numbing drops and q-tips for immediate relief.

Corneal Arcus — which refers to an arc or full circle of white, yellow or gray opaque fat and lipid deposits at the periphery of your cornea — is often associated with high cholesterol levels — particularly when they develop in individuals under 40. It may indicate hypercholesterolemia or familial high cholesterol levels as well as an increased risk for stroke due to plaque breakage travelling through blood vessels to reach your brain.

A 71-year-old male patient presented with a 6-week history of decreased vision in his right eye. He reported a history of smoking but no current cigarettes, with corrected visual acuities in both eyes measuring 20/40 (right eye) and 20/20 respectively (left eye). Additionally, they experienced migraine headaches and experienced an unprovoked stroke one year prior. His medications included aspirin (81 mg daily dose), clopidogrel, atenolol and furosemide for their symptoms.