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© 1992 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Corneal Arcus and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Asians in Singapore
* Department of Community Occupational and Family Medicine
** Department of Physiology
Department of Medicine
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 0511
This study was a cross-sectional random survey of the whole of Singapore, based on 2143 subjects (aged 18–69 years, response rate 60.3%). The presence of corneal arcus was determined by a doctor using the naked eye in good light. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured by standardized techniques. The prevalence rates overall of corneal arcus ware: 18–29 years (males 0.5%, females 0.3%), 30–49 years (males 18.1%, females 13.3%) and 50–69 years (males 70.7%, females 55.3%). In the 30–49 age group, people with arcus had higher serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations than people without arcus, the mean differences being, males 0.31 mmol/l (P = 0.040) and females 0.62 mmol/l (P<0.001) with an increased likelihood of having values >5.5 mmol/l of males 1.8 (95% con fidence interval (95% Cl) 1.0–3.4) and females 2.6 (95% Cl: 1.4–4.8). There were no significant differences for LDL cholesterol in the 50–69 age group. Arcus was weakly associated with fasting plasma glucose in the 30–49 age group. Arcus was not associated with serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, serum fasting triglyceride, blood pressure and cigarette smoking. It is concluded that while corneal arcus is primarily an age-related change, its formation is accelerated by high serum LOL-cholesterol so that in people under 50 years it is a marker for the condition.
Received 1 January 1992