Arcus senilis
Arcus Senilis[edit | edit source]
Arcus senilis is a common ophthalmological condition characterized by a gray or white arc or ring around the cornea of the eye. This condition is often associated with aging and is considered a normal finding in older adults. It is also known as corneal arcus or arcus lipoides.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Arcus senilis occurs due to the deposition of lipids in the peripheral cornea. These lipids are primarily cholesterol and phospholipids, which accumulate in the corneal stroma. The condition is typically bilateral, meaning it affects both eyes, and the arc or ring is usually located at the corneal periphery, sparing the central cornea.
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Arcus senilis appears as a white, gray, or blue opaque ring in the corneal margin. It is more common in older adults, typically appearing after the age of 50. In younger individuals, the presence of arcus senilis may indicate hyperlipidemia or other lipid metabolism disorders.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of arcus senilis is primarily clinical, based on the characteristic appearance of the corneal ring. An ophthalmologist can easily identify the condition during a routine eye examination using a slit lamp.
Significance[edit | edit source]
While arcus senilis is generally considered a benign condition in the elderly, its presence in younger individuals may warrant further investigation for underlying lipid disorders. In such cases, a lipid profile test may be recommended to assess cholesterol levels and evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Management[edit | edit source]
Arcus senilis itself does not require treatment, as it does not affect vision or cause any symptoms. However, if it is associated with hyperlipidemia, managing the underlying lipid disorder is important to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Related Conditions[edit | edit source]
Arcus senilis should be differentiated from other corneal opacities and rings, such as Kayser-Fleischer ring, which is associated with Wilson's disease.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
