Relation of corneal arcus to cardiovascular risk factors and the incidence of coronary disease.

Abstract

The relation of corneal arcus to the incidence of clinical coronary heart disease was prospectively studied in 3152 men, 39–59 years old at intake. During a mean 8 1/2-year follow-up period, coronary disease developed in 255 initially well men. At entry into the study, arcus prevalence was found to be significantly related to age, serum cholesterol and smoking habits, but was not related to hematocrit, blood pressure, weight or obesity, habitual physical activity or diet, parental history of coronary heart disease, serum triglycerides or lipoproteins or to alcohol use. Subjects under 50 years of age with corneal arcus had a significantly higher incidence of coronary heart disease even after adjustment for age, serum cholesterol and smoking habits. Corneal arcus at younger ages is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. (N Engl J Med 291:1322–1324, 1974)