Subconjunctival and episcleral lipid globules

Asymptomatic peripheral subconjunctival and episcleral clear, round globules, 30 to 50 mu in diameter, were found in more than 50% of patients over 50 years of age. This entity occurred in two basic patterns, adjacent to deep conjunctival or episcleral blood vessels or less commonly in isolated patches. These globules increased linearly with age, were more common in women and blacks, with a peak incidence in blacks during the fourth, and in whites, the sixth decade. Histologically, the globules were connective tissue fat cells identical to those found in orbital fat. This entity is not related to obesity, but has a clear relationship to increasing age. The clinical importance of these cells is unknown.