Our eyes usually function all day and night, providing us a basic sense of vision. We can see through the world with all the courtesy of our eyes. Without eyes, we cannot imagine living with them.
However, sometimes there are some problems associated with the eyes. These may be due to several reasons, and you may have to face bright yellow spots on your upper eyelids.
The medical term to describe those yellow spots on your upper eyelids is xanthelasma.
Today’s article will discuss those yellow spots on your upper eyelids and how they cause them.
Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma is a medical condition in which yellow deposits can be formed around your eyelids, mainly indicating a high level of lipids in your blood.
These yellow spots may not be harmful initially, but they gradually become worse and become painful, indicating a more serious underlying medical condition. The yellow spots may be well-circumscribed flat or slightly elevated growths.
Causes of Xanthelasma
Anyone can get these yellow spots around their eyes. But this condition is more occurring in people having a disorder of lipid known as Dyslipidemia. People suffering from this medical condition have too much lipid (such as cholesterol or triglycerides) flowing through their bloodstream.
You may be suspected of Dyslipidemia if you have any of such medical problems:
- Hypercholesterolemia in which a person has cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dL.
- An elevated level of Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL), known as bad cholesterol in his bloodstream.
- Hypertriglyceridemia is when a person has a high level of triglycerides in the bloodstream.
- High level of High-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as good cholesterol in his bloodstream.
- Liver diseases such as Biliary Cirrhosis, which can raise blood cholesterol levels.
Various factors contribute to high levels of circulating lipids in your bloodstream, ultimately causing xanthelasma around your eyes. Some problems are genetic; however, some causes are due to poor or changing lifestyles.
The lifestyle factors responsible for xanthelasma are:
- Smoking
- Weight gain
- Diets high in saturated fats
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Lack of cardiovascular exercises
Some medications could also cause xanthelasma, such as:
- Oral contraceptives
- Beta-blockers
- Estrogen-Containing Medicines
- Retinoids
- Corticosteroids
- Anabolic steroids
- Antiepileptic drugs
- Protease inhibitors
- Thiazide diuretics
Medical conditions, such as Diabetes Mellitus, Kidney diseases, and Hypothyroidism, may also contribute to xanthelasma. This is because these conditions increase circulating lipids in the bloodstream.
Diagnosis
You may have to approach your doctor to diagnose this condition. Your doctor would firstly ask you about when these yellow spots started and whether they changed after the first when you noticed them. As xanthelasma has a visual appearance, the doctor may perform a visual test to confirm it.
Your eye specialist may ask you about any medical history of Dyslipidemia. The risk factors include diet and genetics; therefore, he may also consult these. Ultimately, he may suggest you do some blood panel tests to determine the lipid content in your bloodstream.
Treatment
Your doctor could adopt a few methods to remove cholesterol deposits. These are:
- Chemical Cauterization: This method involves using chlorinated acetic acid to clear the deposits without much scarring.
- Surgical Excision: This method consists of the use of a small blade. This is typically the first method to remove those deposits. The recovery is shown at least after four weeks.
- Cryotherapy: This method is also adopted to remove xanthelasma. The disadvantage of this method is that it involves scarring and can change your skin pigmentation.
- Electrodesiccation: It can be used with Cryotherapy.
- Carbon dioxide and argon laser ablation: This method is less invasive than surgery and has a success rate. However, it may carry the risk of pigmentation changes.
For any procedure, the main thing is to trace your recovery. If you encounter any side effects, note them. You may also have to change your lifestyle to prevent them.
Conclusion
Yellow spots on the eyelids may seem harmless but can trigger other medical conditions. These may also be a sign of some severe underlying medical conditions. Therefore, you cannot ignore them. To give a routine checkup and cure these and other problems related to the eyes, you must approach a certified Eye Specialist. To consult the best Eye Specialists available near you, visit MARHAM.PK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What lifestyles should I change to prevent xanthelasma?
You may have to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent and cure xanthelasma. This may include eating a healthy diet having low lipid content, taking enough cardiovascular exercise, and increasing intake of fibers.
2- Does xanthelasma go away on its own?
Usually, xanthelasma does not go away on its own and may require a visit to a specialist. The lesions may grow even larger and more frequently.
3- How do I get rid of xanthelasma at home?
You can use specific home remedies to get rid of xanthelasma at home. These may include using apple cider vinegar, garlic, and castor oil.
4- Is xanthelasma common?
Xanthelasma is the most common Cutaneous Xanthoma. It is roughly found in 1.1% of females and 0.3% of males.
