The possible association between coronary artery disease risk factors and drusen was examined in 149 Jewish adults, of both sexes and from different ethnic origins, aged 55 years and above. Areas of drusen were examined 5° and 25° around the macula. Risk factors were examined according to standard procedure used by Lipid Research Clinics. Statistical analysis, including comparison of groups with and without drusen by Student’s t test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and step-wise multiple regression analysis, showed similar associations. The multiple regression showed a significant association between drusen and diastolic blood pressure in both males and females and association with glucose only in females.

SUMMARY The relationships between coronary artery disease risk factors and corneal arcus were examined in 150 adults aged 55 years and above of both sexes and from different ethnic origins. The width of the corneal arcus was measured accurately by a digitiser, and the risk factors for coronary artery disease were examined according to the standard procedure used by the Lipid Research Clinics. The results show that the corneal arcus is more frequent in males; the frequency and size of corneal arcus are positively associated with age; there is a positive correlation between the size of corneal arcus and the levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein in males; and that there is negative correlation between corneal arcus and diastolic blood pressure in both sexes. No associations were found between corneal arcus and other coronary artery disease risk factors such as triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, weight, Quetelet's ratio, glucose, and smoking.Corneal arcus is a common change of the aging cornea. Lipids accumulate at the periphery of the cornea (in the peripheral corneal stroma, Bowman's membrane, and Descemet's membrane) and form a ring-like opacity. A clear zone of about 1 mm remains between the corneal arcus and the limbus; the central part of the cornea is never involved. IThe corneal arcus is clinically harmless. Vision is not diminished, and ulcerations and vascularisation of the cornea do not occur. Corneal arcus is nevertheless interesting because of its occurrence with certain other diseases, such as hyperlipoproteinaemia, especially types II and III.2Several investigators have reported that corneal arcus is more likely to occur in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) than in healthy controls, especially those under 50 years of age,3 while another7 noted significant correlation between the degree of corneal arcus and the incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in elderly patients.

In this paper, we present our findings of the effect of the Erbium:YAG laser on cornea, trabecular meshwork, and retinal tissue. We believe the laser is a safe and effective cutting tool with tremendous potential for surgical application.

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