LACK OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CORNEAL ARCUS AND PLASMA-CONCENTRATION OFLIPOPROTEIN (A) IN HYPERLIPIDEMIC SUBJECTS

Background and Aim: corneal arcus was found to be related to elevated cholesterol levels and to be an independent risk factor for coronary h eart disease. We studied the possible association of corneal arcus and serum Lp(a) levels din a large group of hyperlipidemic patients (n=18 66). Methods and Results: Among this population, 655 patients (35.1%) had corneal arcus. Patients with a corneal arcus were older than those without. Futhermore, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein chole sterol (LDL-c) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in patients who had a corneal arcus. Mean Lp(a) levels were not statisti cally different in patients with our without corneal arcus. The percen tage of patients with corneal arcus was not statistically different am ong the four subgroups of subjects classified according to the quartil e of Lp(a) levels. Conclusions: contrary to LDL-c levels, Lp(a) concen trations do not seem to be associated with the presence of corneal arc us. (C) 1996, Medikal Press