Lipid deposits subconjunctivally and episclerally. Number, location, relation to external degenerations, and blood pressure.

Examination of 1029 subjects disclosed 30-60 micron-sized frog's egg-like lipid deposits subconjunctivally and episclerally in 34%. The prevalence was found to rise steadily with increasing age to a maximum between 70 and 80 (52%). The prevalence declined after the age of 80. Both sexes were equally represented, except in the age groups over 70, where females predominated. In 48% lipid deposits were presented in both eyes, located nasally, temporally, inferiorly, and superiorly in decreasing order of frequency. Vertical location alone was found in 13%. The number of lipid globules was the greatest horizontally (median value nasally 20, temporally 30) and the smallest vertically (median value inferiorly 8, superiorly 15). The lipid deposits were generally found in relation to anterior ciliary arteries, most frequently off the upper corner of the horizontal muscles. In no more than 13% were such deposits seen as pads bearing no relation to vessels, and in 1% between tendon fibres, likewise non-related to vessels. No relation was noticed to presence of pinguecula, pterygium, and scleral plaques, nor to blood pressure or particularly thick conjunctiva. Lipid deposits were rarer in cases with an extraordinarily thin conjunctiva. Presence of lipid deposits may possible be accountable for by injuries of the arterial wall due to eye muscle movements with subsequent exudation of lipids into the surrounding episcleral connective tissue.