Corneal arcus as an indicator of hypercholesterolemia.

For many years, corneal arcus has been documented as a normal, age-related change. Recent literature implies that corneal arcus is associated with elevated cholesterol, especially in the young, but that the association is not apparent in the elderly. This study demonstrates corneal arcus, regardless of age, as an indicator of elevated serum cholesterol, and as such, a sign of increased risk for cardiovascular disease.