Arcus

Dr Ben Wild

Overview

The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye in front of the iris. It is a clear tissue, void of any blood vessels, and is one of the main optical components responsible for focusing light on the retina (the light sensing layer at the back of the eye).

Frontal view of a healthy eye.

Corneal arcus refers to a condition where a white circular band contouring the periphery of the cornea starts to form. This circular band contains lipid/cholesterol deposits that have leaked from blood vessels around the cornea. In the mirror, it may appear as a white band or it may look as if the iris is a different color. It is usually a normal finding, seen in all seniors, but can represent a systemic health condition if seen in younger patients. Up to 30% of younger patients with arcus have high cholesterol.

Front view of an eye with arcus.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs

White band of lipid/cholesterol around the edge of the cornea.

Symptoms

No symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes

Age, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol).

Risk Factors

Contact lens wear.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention

Proper fitting contact lenses, use of silicone-hydrogel contact lenses that allow more oxygen, wearing glasses instead on contact lenses.

Treatments

No treatment is needed and none exist. Making sure blood work is done to rule out high cholesterol is the only step needed when this is diagnosed.

Prognosis

Corneal arcus does not affect vision or cause any discomfort. As long as there are no underlying health conditions, it remains strictly a cosmetic issue.