Which ophthalmologic finding is characterized by green-yellow rings around the peripheral cornea?

The finding characterized by green-yellow rings around the peripheral cornea is known as Kayser-Fleischer rings. These rings are associated with Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that leads to excessive accumulation of copper in various tissues, particularly in the liver and brain. The copper deposits in the cornea cause the distinctive coloration of these rings, which can be an important diagnostic clue for clinicians suspecting Wilson's disease, especially when patients present with liver dysfunction or neurological symptoms.

In contrast, Hollenhorst plaques refer to cholesterol crystals that can be found in retinal arteries and indicate atherosclerosis but do not appear as rings in the cornea. Arcus senilis is characterized by a gray or white arc around the cornea due to lipid deposits and does not have the green-yellow coloration associated with Kayser-Fleischer rings. Pterygium is a growth of fleshy tissue on the conjunctiva that can extend onto the cornea but lacks the distinctive ring formation. Thus, the correct identification of Kayser-Fleischer rings is crucial in understanding their role in the diagnosis of Wilson's disease.