High cholesterol affects your health in more than one way. In most cases it shows no signs and has no symptoms. There is an exception, however — a condition by the name of familial hypercholesterolaemia. A genetic disorder, this condition leaves cholesterol deposits in various areas of your body, one of which is your eyelids.  They rarely appear in people under the age of 30.

As reported in BBC News, yellow markings on the eyelids are a sign of increased risk of heart attack. These markings, called xanthelasmata, are mostly made up of cholesterol and can be treated cosmetically, but are also a warning sign of raised cholesterol.

Xanthelasmata are known to be cholesterol deposits / bumps on the eyelids. They suggest raised cholesterol levels, which is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.  People with these marks should have their cardiovascular risk assessed, taking into account other risk factors, such as age, BMI, smoking, diabetes, family history of heart attack or stroke and raised blood pressure. Together, this knowledge will allow doctors to assess a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, and allow them to make lifestyle changes to help reduce their risk.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic condition that passes down through generations of a family, causing those who have it to experience high levels of LDL — bad cholesterol — from the moment they are born, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. This condition is the result of a defective gene which controls the removal of excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. You can inherit this condition from one parent, but if you receive it from both, your LDL cholesterol can exceed 600 mg/dL. Aside from the fatty deposits on your eyelids, you may notice xanthomas, fatty deposits on your tendons or pressure areas such as elbows, knees and heels.

Images of Cholesterol deposits on eyelids:

Xanthelasmas:
Are a type of xanthoma (collection of fat and cholesterol)
Can affect either the upper or lower eyelids
Upper eyelids are affected more commonly
May be associated with a high cholesterol 50% of the time
If you have xanthelasma you should see your doctor to have your cholesterol checked
Lowering your cholesterol with either diet or medication will not improve xanthelasmas
Develop slowly over a period of months or years
Cannot be removed or treated with creams

Cholesterol deposits/bumps on the body:

If you suspect that you have these yellowish bumps on your eyelids or elsewhere on your body, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get things checked out.