Corneal Arcus- revisited.

Abstract

Corneal Arcus is normal in elderly and represents ageing, however occurring in young age it indicates premature cholesterol deposition, including coronary arteries. Epidemiological studies have correlated its presence in younger individuals with coronary heart disease however studies correlating with coronary angiography are very scant. The objective of the present study is to correlate Corneal Arcus with coronary anatomy studied by invasive angiography in young Indians. In sixty nine patients of chronic stable angina the Coronary Angiography was corelated with their Corneal Arcus. In the present study irrespective of its grade, Corneal Arcus showed a significant co-relation with the presence of obstructive CAD (p=0.025). There was no co-relation of grade of Corneal Arcus to extent of coronary artery disease. Similarly there was no co-relation with age, sex, diabetes, hypertension or lipid levels. The present study confirmed the presence of Corneal Arcus in young Indians being strongly associated with obstructive coronary artery disease. This is the first ever Indian study correlating Invasive coronary angiographic findings with Corneal Arcus. Detecting Corneal Arcus at primary care levels should prompt rigorous CAD preventive strategy.