Some people express concern about the appearance of the eyes. One question is often about the greyish or white ring around the edge of the cornea (the front surface of the eye).

This is arcus senilis (or corneal arcus). It’s a ring of lipids, mostly cholesterol which deposits and forms an opaque band in a layer of the cornea blocking the view of the iris below. The band typically begins as a short arc along the top and bottom of the cornea and over time the arcs may connect and make a complete ring around the peripheral cornea.

Arcus senilis is common as the eyes age. If these rings begin to appear around middle age or later, they are usually nothing to worry about. Almost everyone will eventually get arcus senilis. If you have a family history of high cholesterol you are more likely to have arcus senilis. But the appearance of arcus senilis in middle age or later does not necessarily mean you have high cholesterol.

Arcus senilis is diagnosed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist usually using a slit-lamp microscope. Although no treatment is necessary for arcus senilis as it is asymptomatic and does not cause vision issues.

I look forward to welcoming you to the practice again soon.

Lucinda

*The information presented here reflects general information about arcus senilis but of course there are always exceptions to the information stated