Retinal photos can determine the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers from McMaster University (Canada) have found that retinal images can determine a person's biological age and the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. The work, published in the journal Science Advances (Sci Adv), shows that the structure of the smallest blood vessels in the eye reflects the condition of the vascular system of the entire body and could become a non-invasive method for early diagnosis.
The scientists analyzed over 74,000 retinal photos, genetic data, and blood biomarkers from international databases, including the UK Biobank and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. It turned out that people with less branched vascular networks in their eyes were more likely to suffer from inflammation, showed signs of accelerated aging, and had an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The authors also identified two proteins involved in inflammatory processes and vascular aging: MMP12 and IgG–Fc receptor IIb. According to Professor Marie Pijner, the lead author of the study, these molecules could serve as the basis for developing new drugs capable of slowing down vascular aging and reducing the risk of heart disease.
