If you notice yellow patches (plaques) on your eyes, this could be an early indicator of high cholesterol. These conditions are known as xanthelasma palpebrarum and it’s best to get tested as soon as possible for them.

These painless lesions appear on the medial corners of eyelids and serve as an early indicator for hyperlipidemia and remind us to make lifestyle adjustments.

Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma refers to yellowish benign plaques around the eyes caused by high cholesterol. These may be an indicator of atherosclerosis and/or may indicate family history of dyslipidemia (lipid abnormalities).

Xanthema palpebrarum is one of the most prevalent forms of this condition. These yellowish lesions typically take the form of soft velvety or semi-solid patches on the skin which gradually coalesce over time. Symmetrical in nature and usually found near the inner corner of eyelids on upper eyelids.

Lesions such as xanthelasmas are non-painful and do not impair vision, yet can be unsightly cosmetic concerns. According to one study, they have been linked with higher Framingham risk scores and an increase in atherosclerotic disease of coronary arteries by twofold; their presence can serve as an independent predictor for coronary artery disease.

Studies conducted recently indicate that those suffering from xanthelasma tend to have significantly lower HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels than their peers, with high-cholesterol diets and smoking being strongly linked with its formation. Therefore, those living with this condition should adopt a diet low in fats and cholesterol while cutting back or quitting smoking altogether for best results.

Xanthelasma can cause inflammation, swelling and itching in the eyelids. Surgery excision can be performed quickly in an office environment with local anesthesia; recovery time typically does not exceed two weeks afterward.

As an alternative treatment option for xanthelasma, using argon laser ablation or chemical cauterization may be beneficial. These methods do not leave scars or marks behind on the skin like surgical excision does, making this procedure relatively painless and covered by health insurance plans. Furthermore, this treatment option may also be effective against other benign lesions around the eyes such as milia, skin tags cysts and chalazia/styes; in certain instances even treating ptosis (drooping of eyelid). Dr. Nathoo has extensive experience treating various eyelid lesions both inside his clinic as well as outside his clinic for his procedures to ensure maximum efficiency.

Hordeola

Hordeola (hor-dee-oh-la) is an infection or abscess of oil glands near the base of your eyelash in your eyelid, often near where eyelashes meet the lid. Hordeolas can be painful and difficult to open; sometimes recur. Hordeolas can often be caused by bacteria but also can result from inflammation from blepharitis or chronic meibomian gland dysfunction.

Styes are an infrequent yet common condition, with most people at some point experiencing them in their lifetimes. Styes should not interfere with daily life and usually resolve themselves without leading to more serious health or eye problems in the future.

Hordeola is a red, painful bump near the base of an eyelash or corner of your lid that may become infected over time and become either minor or major in severity, depending on its extent of inflammation and whether infection sets in. Left untreated, an untreated stye could develop into a chalazion — an enlarged cyst in one of your eyelid’s deeper oil glands — which may take longer to drain than its counterpart; nonetheless it should not pose any significant danger.

If you suffer from styes, warm compresses and artificial tears are the ideal treatments. Cleansing eyelashes with baby shampoo or mild ophthalmic cleanser may prevent future outbreaks; additionally, your doctor can prescribe antibiotic drops containing both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medication that will effectively address your symptoms of a stye.

Styes are caused by bacteria infections that arise when an oil gland becomes blocked with secretions that block its opening, leading to painful inflammation that resembles a boil and often returns with renewed force. They may recur regularly unless treated, becoming even more persistent over time.

Hordeola and chalazia are often confused, as both involve oil backing up into glands that produce them and leading to inflammation and swelling. Both can be painful and uncomfortable; warm compresses applied several times daily until symptoms subside are usually enough; additionally using topical steroids and antibiotics in combination may speed up resolution.

Carotid Artery Plaques

The carotid arteries are vital blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients directly to your brain. When these blood vessels become blocked by plaque buildup, this can obstruct blood flow, leading to stroke – the third leading cause of death in America. The condition known as carotid artery disease or atherosclerosis may cause this blockage just like coronary artery disease does, leading to heart attacks; having high cholesterol can increase your risk for this condition.

Many people with arterial plaque buildup don’t experience any noticeable symptoms. Others, however, may notice warning signs known as mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), such as temporary symptoms similar to stroke such as numbness or tingling in arms, legs, face or head as well as blurred vision lasting only minutes or hours but should still be taken seriously as potential predictors of future stroke events.

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor can use a stethoscope to listen to the carotid arteries to check for changes, such as hearing a whooshing sound (or bruit), which may indicate narrowed arteries due to plaque buildup. Your physician may suggest an ultrasound Doppler test or duplex ultrasound test – technologists place an ultrasound probe against the side of your neck and send sound waves that create images of your carotids – showing just how severe narrowing may be present.

As part of your treatment for plaque accumulation in your arteries, a CT scan of your neck is also an option to help assess its extent and thickness. You will likely have contrast dye injected during this test to more clearly depict its location and thickness.

Your doctor may suggest surgery to remove carotid artery plaques if they’re near or touching the side of your skull or causing you discomfort, as studies have demonstrated this can significantly lower your risk of stroke.

Stroke

Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when an artery that supplies blood to parts of the brain becomes blocked or bursts, leading to long-term disability or even death. There are two forms of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic; eighty percent of strokes are classified as ischemic (when blood clots impede flow to brain areas); for hemorrhagic strokes a blood vessel ruptures or breaks and causes bleeding around it, leading to temporary disability or bleeding on that side of it all.

Signs of stroke include sudden loss of balance or coordination; changes in vision in either eye; drooping face, trouble swallowing and facial paralysis. FAST can help remember these symptoms: F stands for face – ask someone to smile and see if one side of their mouth droops; A stands for arms — when raising both arms simultaneously does one drift downward? S stands for speech — repeat a simple sentence out loud to check for words being slurred? Time is of the essence — call 911 immediately when symptoms surfaced as taking anticlot-busting drugs can reduce long-term disability risk significantly if taken within three hours after first appearing.