Cholesterol Plaques

Did you ever see someone who had an odd looking buildup around their eyes. Almost as if pockets of fat deposits made their way up under the skin. Well that is exactly what I have. It all started about 7 years ago when I retired from the military. I stopped exercising and began gaining unhealthy weight almost immediately. I started noticing these small discolorations around my eyes. Nothing major mind you just small light colored areas. Within a year my right eyelid had amassed a spot in the corner that was the size of an eraser. I went to the dermatologist and asked what it was and was told that it was a cholesterol plaque and that I should have my cholesterol checked.

The next day I did just that and was surprised to find that  my bad cholesterol was only a point or two out of the normal range, but my good cholesterol was in the tank. This imbalance in my numbers caused the plaques around my eyes. Yes I said around my eyes. Since the arrival of the first spot, I now have one above and below each eye. I tried to have one removed and it only came back about 6 months later.

These fatty deposits can also be found on the eyelids. This type of deposit is referred to as Xanthelasmas.  Xanthelasma and corneal arcus are two signs of elevated blood cholesterol that may be evident on the eye or eyelids. Xanthelasma palpebrarum is the yellow plaque of cholesterol evident on the eyelids or periorbital area. It tends to occur in the medial aspects of the eye – that is the area closer to the inner canthus or towards the nose. It is also more common on the upper eyelid although it may occur on both sides and on both upper and lower eyelids simultaneously. These plaques, often described as lumps, are soft or semi-solid. It may become a bit harder in prolonged cases.

Attempts to remove a deposit within the home environment should never be considered. Scarring and infection are some of the consequences of removal at the hands of an untrained person. There are a number of medical procedures for the removal of xanthelasma including :

• surgical excision
• laser coblation
• chemical cauterization
• electrodesiccation and cryotherapy (“freezing”)

Look if it were up to me I would be in perfect health and free of any defects. But I chose to get fat and let my body go to shit. So be honest with yourself and go see a professional before it's too late. It could mean the difference between ugly eyelids or worse blindness and not having to deal with it at all.

As a side note, I did say I had one removed and it came back (with a vengeance I might add). If your wondering, I opted for an eye surgeon to do a surgical excision. It was painless and looked great for a while. Just make sure that you go to a professional who has dealt with this particular type of health issue before. I don't take my TV to the auto mechanic for repair.... Just sayin.

Photo (not me) courtesy of: http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/dia/dia/040090043.asp#bot

02/26/2023 Update.

Overview: In 2020 right before COVID really kicked into gear, I scheduled a consult with a local dermatologist to see what the process and procedure would be like to have my plaques removed from both of my eyelids.  After a very short visit, I was told that the procedure would take about an hour and would only be a bit painful (like scratching) in the affected area.  The cost would be $300 dollars per eye and recovery was about 3 weeks for the scar tissue to start clearing up. I jumped on the chance to finally get rid of these mounds that had formed around both eyes. Before I tell you how it all went, I wanted to explain a few details that may help the next person with similar issues.

Background: Plaque started appearing over my right eye in 2005 after I retired.  I was told that my good cholesterol had really low numbers and that was probably the cause. By 2008 I had significant growths over both eyes near the tear ducts.  I lived with these issues for quite some time and just ignored the problem. In 2011, I created this blog to help other understand what cholesterol plaques were and list some removal options.  In 2019 I was able to loose 80 lbs. through diet and exercise. I hadn't been this low in weight for years.  I started really looking at myself in the mirror again.  That is when I decided that I wanted to go through with a removal procedure to go with my weight loss. 

Surgery: Fast forward to 2020. I opted for electrodesiccation (an outpatient same-day procedure).  I say I opted, really I didn't get a choice. The dermatologist did not support any of the other options.  She did say that she had performed this procedure many times and I had nothing to worry about. The surgery itself didn't seem like it took that long. I went in and was seated in a reclining medical-type chair. I was then given two small injections, one over each eye to numb the area that would be removed. I will say after reflection, that I should have received one shot, then the procedure for the first eye, followed by a second shot for the second eye procedure.  I say this because by the time the first eye was finished the medication had worn off and the electrical current to the second eyelid was quite painful. Fortunately, as it was quickly realized it was also quickly remedied. Anyway 1 hour and 20 minutes later it was done. As the medication wore off it felt like when you get a really bad sun burn or scratched by a dog. I had some bleeding during the procedure that was cauterized. I left the clinic with pain medication and gel over both surgical areas.

Recovery: It took about 4 weeks to start to see what the post-procedure would really look like as the redness and swelling subsided. I must say that it is important to keep applying the gel on a regular basis to help the healing and prevent scaring.  It really only took 3 days or so for the pain to go away completely. I did have some bleeding at home that  worried me but it was short lived. All in all, not too bad.

Today: Fast forward to 2023. I wish that I could tell you that it looks perfect and that there is no evidence of me ever having the procedure. That however would not be the truth. I am reminded daily as I look closely in the mirror at my eyelids.  There is scaring from the large areas that were removed. It took a year for the discoloration to mostly go away as the new skin looked totally different from the surrounding areas. When my eyes are open, the scars barely show and look more like natural folds in the lids. When I close my eyes it is quite noticeable. Would I do it again? Yes, in a minute. I might try a different procedure but I would still do it. I can't express how much of an improvement in my self esteem it has made.  Before, I thought everyone was staring (not really, but you know that feeling) at the lumps on my eyelids. Now folks just look at all the post COVID weight I gained and say damn that guy got fat. Oh well, C'est la vie...  Side note, after reading this post back to myself I decided to start a dieting again today...