What is it?

• Xanthelasma is a   deposition of fat in the eyelid skin. They result from increased level of lipids in the blood which may be the result of a genetic disorder or a poor metabolism of lipids.
  

Who gets them?

• Although most patients have a normal lipid level, more than 30% do show an lipid abnormality. Serum cholesterol may b elevated.
• Xanthelasmas usually occur in middle-aged and elderly patients. They appear more often in females.

Where do they Occur?

• The lesions occur near the inner upper eyelids. They are slightly  elevated, yellowish, and have sharp borders. (see photo above)

Are they dangerous?

• They usually do not cause patients discomfort,  but can cause a significant cosmetic blemish.
• They are not malignant

Treatment

• Treatment consists of skin excision of the lesion. An alternative treatment could be the application of 75% trichloroacetic acid topically.  Recurrence can occur with either method of treatment