Doctor says if you notice this change in your eye color, you most probably have heart health issues

One of the most remarkable things about the human body is that it will always warn you ahead of any serious health conditions. We can tell a great deal about our health from our simple functioning and bodily changes. Dr. Ahmed (@dra_says), a GP based in the UK, shared a striking insight on how a change in one’s eye color can be a warning of a serious health issue. He laid out the details to look for along with other close symptoms to catch the signs early on and take medical attention as required.

The doctor noted a condition called “corneal arcus” which can be a symptom of a condition related to the heart. The doctor defined the former as “a very thin white rim around the eye.” This causes the eyes to look pale and can be in the form of a white, gray or blue ring or arc around the iris of the eye, per Cleveland Clinic. While the same is normal for most people over the age of 50 as a sign of aging, for younger people it could be concerning. People under the age of 40 having corneal arcus have “arcus juvenilis,” which could be associated with an underlying health condition of high cholesterol. 

The reason why corneal arcus takes place is due to the settling of lipids or fatty materials around the cornea. The rings made by the former are often associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. This deposit can cause the appearance of a ring around the iris, making it look like there are two colors for the iris, per The American Academy of Ophthalmology. However, it is actually a discoloration of the cornea. These ring-like structures appear either at the bottom or the top of the cornea and eventually complete or connect to form a complete ring. 

While it is not a worry for those over 50 and above, it is recommended that others observing corneal arcus consult a doctor. An eye examination or blood test is also beneficial, especially if one holds a family history of cholesterol. A few things can be done to avoid the same. These include some form of physical exercise, avoiding smoking, having an optimum weight and a healthy diet plan. Dr. Ahmed pointed out two other symptoms to look out for as indicators of high cholesterol. “Xanthelasma” is another observation related to the eyes that one may observe. This is easier to spot than corneal arcus and is also connected with cholesterol. 

Xanthelasma can look like small bubbly deposits on the eyelids. These again, are caused due to lipids like cholesterol. These can also appear under the eyes and anywhere around the eyes. Lastly, Dr. Ahmed revealed that “tendon xanthomata” is another condition that can indicate high cholesterol. This causes lipids to form deposits or clusters of cholesterol on any tendon or ligament in the body like the hands, fingers or knuckles. While cholesterol doesn’t have many symptoms, these three can definitely suggest a visit to a doctor and take necessary action in due time. Dr. Ahmed also cautioned that these signs could point towards "hypercholesterolemia," indicating that one’s cholesterol levels are concerning “very high.”

You can follow Dr. Ahmed (@dra_says) on TikTok for more content on health and medicine.