Arcus Senilis (Corneal Arcus): Causes & Treatment

Arcus senilis generally happens to people who are 50 years of age or older. It is a normal part of ageing. However, if you are young and have arcus senilis, you should consult your healthcare provider to detect any underlying health issues.

What is Arcus Senilis?

Arcus senilis, also known as corneal arcus, is a white, light grey or blueish arc or circle that develops around the edge of the cornea. It typically starts as an arc below and above the cornea but can grow, forming a complete ring. These eye cholesterol rings are formed from fatty deposits (mostly cholesterol), which are known as lipids.

Arcus senilis is common among middle-aged people and almost everyone will get it as they age. If this grey ring begins to appear around middle age or later, there is usually nothing to worry about. However, if found in children, these rings can indicate high cholesterol.

Arcus senilis vs arcus juvenilis

Arcus senilis generally happens to older people, who are above 50 years of age.

However, in rare cases, children are born with arcus senilis. The grey ring around the iris in childhood or young adulthood is referred to as arcus juvenilis. This can be a sign of health problems, including high cholesterol.

Causes of arcus senilis

Arcus senilis is caused by lipid deposits in the eyes, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. These fats come from the food we eat and are produced by the liver. Our liver produces all the cholesterol needed by our bodies to make hormones and vitamins and build cells. However, high cholesterol can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

When we age, our blood vessels widen, allowing more fats (including cholesterol) to enter the eye. Arcus senilis does not necessarily mean that one has high cholesterol.

Who is more likely to get arcus senilis?

Older adults are more likely to get arcus senilis, especially if there is a family history of high cholesterol. Nevertheless, arcus senilis at middle age or later in life does not necessarily indicate high cholesterol. Some other factors that can put you at risk of getting arcus senilis are as follows:

• Gender: Men are more likely to get arcus senilis than women.
• Race: Southeast Asians and Africans tend to get arcus senilis more often than people with European backgrounds.
• Family history: If high cholesterol or heart disease runs in your family, then it is more likely that you too may get arcus senilis.
• High fats and cholesterol: People who have a higher intake of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol or a lower intake of HDL cholesterol (the good kind) tend to have corneal arcus.
• High blood pressure: Arcus senilis is also linked to high blood pressure.
• Being overweight: Being obese or overweight increases the chances of arcus senilis, particularly in younger people.
• Drinking a lot of alcohol: This can lead to high fat and cholesterol levels.
• Smoking: Tobacco products increase the risk of corneal arcus.
• Other health issues: Other fat-related disorders or diabetes can increase the chances of corneal arcus.

Is arcus senilis dangerous?

Arcus senilis is not dangerous per se, but may signify high cholesterol in young people, which can cause serious health issues, including cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease. There is no treatment for corneal arcus, but any underlying condition, like high cholesterol, can be treated by visiting a doctor.

Diagnosing arcus senilis

Your eye care professional/optician will be able to diagnose arcus senilis and may use a slit lamp test to examine your eyes.

They may also dilate your pupils during this exam using special eye drops. This can allow them to look at the blood vessels in the back of your eye for signs of high cholesterol.

If necessary, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist for further testing.

If you are under 40 and present signs of arcus senilis, you may be referred for blood tests, which can check your cholesterol and lipid levels.

Arcus senilis treatment and prevention

Arcus senilis does not necessarily need treatment, since it is not harmful and does not affect your vision. If it’s due to ageing, then it’s not a problem.

If you want to prevent developing corneal arcus at a younger age and reduce the chances of getting heart problems, then it is advised to take care of your heart health.

If arcus senilis is a sign of high cholesterol, treatment may involve medication and lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol levels in your blood.

Alastair Lockwood, an Eye Health Advisor at Feel Good Contacts, says, “A healthy diet is a must. Limit your intake of saturated fats and trans fats found in fried foods and processed snacks to maintain a healthy weight and reduce numerous risk factors. Make sure you eat foods high in soluble fibre, such as apples, brussels sprouts, whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits. You can also follow a heart-healthy food plan, like the Mediterranean diet.”

Apart from these, some other lifestyle changes for arcus senilis treatment and eye health are as follows:

• Exercise regularly: Daily moderate exercise of at least 30 minutes can increase your good cholesterol levels. Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise.
• Manage stress: Take out some time to manage your stress levels by practising deep breathing exercises, journaling or walking.
• Go for regular check-ups: Regularly go for eye exams as well as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, so that you can catch any health issues before they become more serious.
• Cut down on alcohol: Limit your alcohol intake, particularly if you already have high blood pressure or cholesterol. Consuming too much alcohol can lead to a higher risk of heart failure, strokes and other health issues.
• Quit smoking: Avoid both active and passive smoking. This can also improve your cholesterol level.
• Get sufficient sleep: For your overall well-being, get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every day.

These lifestyle changes will also work for people who already have arcus senilis, as they can help protect heart health and minimise any future health issues.

Please note: Changing your diet and physical activity is not always enough for some people to lower their cholesterol. Certain medications can be prescribed in these instances.

Does arcus senilis affect vision?

Arcus senilis does not affect vision or require treatment. However, it causes the discolouration of the cornea, which can make it appear as though the iris is of two different colours.

Frequently asked questions

Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical care or an in-person check-up. Please check with an eyecare professional before purchasing any products or remedies. For information on our article review process, please refer to our Editorial Policy.