Xanthelasma Palpebrarum Management and Cardiovascular Implications
Summary
Xanthelasma palpebrarum manifests as yellowish, cholesterol-rich plaques on the eyelids and represents the most common form of cutaneous xanthoma. Histologically, these lesions consist of lipid-laden macrophages or foam cells within the dermis. While often considered a cosmetic concern, xanthelasma serves as a visible marker of systemic dyslipidaemia and may signal early atherogenic processes. Management strategies range from topical lipid-lowering agents and minimally invasive laser ablation to excisional surgery with reconstructive techniques such as blepharoplasty-based flaps. Beyond local removal, comprehensive cardiovascular assessment is recommended, since affected individuals frequently exhibit elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, altered triglyceride/HDL ratios and other traditional risk factors. Multidisciplinary care integrates dermatological intervention with lipid-modifying therapy, lifestyle modification and, where indicated, genetic risk profiling. Emerging data suggest that targeted inhibition of inflammatory pathways and novel lipid-lowering biologics may offer dual benefits for lesion regression and cardiovascular risk reduction. Such an integrated approach underscores the global relevance of xanthelasma both as a clinical cue and as a therapeutic challenge.
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Xanthelasma Palpebrarum Management and Cardiovascular Implications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in xanthelasma palpebrarum management and cardiovascular implications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Xanthelasma palpebrarum: Yellow lipid-laden plaques on the eyelids arising from dermal foam cell accumulation.
Dyslipidaemia: Abnormal levels of lipids in the bloodstream, often involving elevated cholesterol or triglycerides.
Mendelian randomisation: A genetic epidemiology method that uses inherited variants to infer causal effects of modifiable risk factors.
Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP): The logarithmic ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serving as a marker of atherogenic risk.
Blepharoplasty: Surgical modification or reconstruction of the eyelid, employed here to optimise lesion excision and cosmetic outcome.
References
- Genetic insight into putative causes of xanthelasma palpebrarum: a Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Immunology (2024).
- Xanthomas: Clinical and pathophysiological relations. Biomedical Papers (2014).
- Cardiovascular Profile of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum. BioMed Research International (2013).
- A Modified Surgical Method Combined with Blepharoplasty Design for Treatment of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum. BioMed Research International (2020).
- Modified argon laser therapy for benign tumor of the eyelid. BMC Ophthalmology (2022).
- Association of Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (2020).
- Relationship between plasma atherogenic index and xanthelasma palpebrarum. Bali Medical Journal (2021).
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