Identifying heart risks and signs of aging through a simple eye scan allows for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
A new study by a British-Canadian research team provides compelling evidence that our eyes send clear signals about our health. The researchers found that tiny blood vessels at the back of the eyes reflect the overall condition of our vascular system.
What Did the Scientists Discover?
While previous studies have shown a correlation between the complexity of retinal blood vessels and overall heart health, the authors of this new work aimed to dig deeper into what underlies that connection.
A diverse team from the University of Dundee, the University of Edinburgh (UK), and McMaster University (Canada) analyzed eye scans and genetic data from 74,434 volunteers. The scientists observed that individuals with less-branched blood vessels in their eyes faced a higher genetic risk of cardiovascular disease.
To test this, the researchers employed a method called Mendelian randomization, which helps separate genetic predisposition to disease from other factors.
The analysis revealed that lower complexity (or fractal dimension) of blood vessels is associated with faster biological aging and a higher risk of heart disease.
“The eye provides a unique, non-invasive view of the body’s vascular system,” noted Dr. Marie Piguet from McMaster University (Canada), the lead author of the study.
Using data from a separate cohort, the team also identified certain proteins, primarily MMP12 and the IgG–Fc IIb receptor, that likely influence the condition of blood vessels. These proteins could eventually serve as targets for preventive therapies, as reported by Science Alert.
“By combining retinal scan data, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system,” Dr. Piguet explained.
Currently, assessing the risk of age-related ailments such as cardiovascular disease requires complex and time-consuming testing. If eye scans can fulfill this role, more people would be able to undergo simple, timely screenings.
The team believes that being able to target those proteins and inflammation triggers before serious problems arise would be a major advantage for an aging global population and could improve health in later life.
The study’s findings were published in the journal Science Advances.
Photo: Unsplash
