Xanthelasma spots are composed of what, and what might they indicate?

• A. These spots are made up of cholesterol and can be a sign of high cholesterol in the blood.
• B. They are malignant tumors requiring immediate chemotherapy.
• C. They are caused by infection of the eyelid margin.
• D. They are always aesthetically benign with no systemic implications.

Answer: (A)

Xanthelasma are cholesterol-rich lipid deposits in the skin of the eyelids. Their presence can indicate elevated blood lipids (hyperlipidemia), so they often prompt lipid testing to assess cardiovascular risk. They are not cancerous tumors, nor caused by infection of the eyelid margin, and they should not be dismissed as purely cosmetic since they can reflect a systemic lipid issue, even though lipid levels may in some cases be normal.