SYMPTOMS OF XANTHELESMA

Xanthelasma are yellowish-white lumps of fatty material accumulated under the skin on the inner parts of your upper and lower eyelids. The plaques contain lipids, or fats, including cholesterol, and usually appear symmetrically between your eyes and nose.

These lesions and plaques don’t impair the function of your eyelids. That means they shouldn’t affect your ability to blink, or open or close your eyes. They can gradually become larger over time and cause discomfort. Usually they don’t need to be removed unless they become uncomfortable or for cosmetic reasons.

CAUSES OF XANTHELESMA

Anyone may get cholesterol deposits around their eyes.But this condition is most common in people with a lipid disorder called dyslipidemia. People with this disorder have too many lipids in their bloodstream, such as triglycerides and certain forms of cholesterol.

You may have dyslipidemia if you have any of the following conditions:

• Hypercholesterolemia, identified by total cholesterol greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
• Hypertriglyceridemia, identified by triglycerides above 150 mg/dL
• High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, identified by LDL above 100 mg/dL
• High levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as good cholesterol, identified by HDL above 40 mg/dL

There are various factors that can cause to have too many lipids in our bloodstream, and in turn develop xanthelasma around our eye. Some causes are genetic, meaning one can not do much to prevent them. Other causes are the result of lifestyle choices or side effects of some medications.

GENETIC CAUSE 

• Deficiency of familial lipoprotein lipase, the enzyme that breaks down lipids
• Familial hypertriglyceridemia, a genetic condition that causes people to have higher amounts of triglycerides in their blood
• Familial dyslipoproteinemia, a genetic condition that causes people to have higher amounts of lipids in their blood

LIFE STYLE FACTORS

• Diets high in saturated fats and low in unsaturated fats
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Lack of cardiovascular exercise
• Weight gain
• Diet low in fiber
• Smoking

MEDICATIONS

• Beta-blockers
• Oral contraceptives
• Estrogen-containing medications
• Corticosteroids
• Retinoids
• Thiazide diuretics
• Protease inhibitors
• Anabolic steroids
• Antiepileptic drugs

Some conditions such as kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus can also contribute to the development of cholesterol deposits. That is because these conditions can increase lipid concentration in  blood. Sometimes the cause of dyslipidemia is unknown.