arcus senilis

Introduction

An oapque, grayish ring at the periphery of the cornea just within the sclerocorneal junction

Etiology

• idiopathic
• hypercholesterolemia (suspect if < 60 years of age)

Epidemiology

frequent in the elderly

Pathology

• changes in the lamellae & cells of the cornea
  • deposit of fatty granules
  • hyaline degeneration

Laboratory

fasting lipid panel

Management

treat hyperlipidemia

More general terms

• corneal arcus (arcus corneae)

Additional terms

• cornea (C, K)
• crystalline lens (lens of eye, L)
• retina
• sclera