Arcus senilis

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Arcus senilis
Classification & external resources
ICD-10 H18.4
ICD-9 371.41
OMIM 107800
DiseasesDB 17120
MeSH C11.204.299.070

Arcus senilis (or Arcus senilis corneae. Latin: senile bow) is a peripheral corneal opacity caused by a deposition of phospholipid and cholesterol granules in the corneal stroma (or substantia propria).

It typically appears bilaterally and symmetrically as a partial or complete whitish arc highly visible over the iris. It is most often found in the elderly, hence the name.

It can be a sign of disturbance in lipid metabolism, an indicator of conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemia or hyperlipidemia.

A unilateral arcus is a sign of carotid artery disease or ocular hypotony.

In younger individuals the condition is called Arcus juvenilis.

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