Articles about Eye Health and Disease 2002
 

Retinal Microvascular Abnormalities and the Risk of Stroke

(From Wong TY et al., Lancet 2001;358:1134-1140).

 Abnormalities in the retinal blood vessels, which are clearly visible during an eye examination, reflect damage from hypertension and other vascular diseases.  This study looked at the relationship of retinal vascular abnormalities and stroke.  

A group of 10,358 men and women aged 51 to 72 living in 4 communities had retinal photographs taken, which were analyzed for vascular abnormalities using digital methods.  The diameter of the retinal arteries and veins were measured, and an overall artery to vein diameter (AVR) ratio was determined.  A smaller AVR indicates narrower arteries in the eye.  Strokes occurring in this group of people were then determined, and validated by a review of medical records.

Over an average of 3.5 years, 110 individuals had strokes in this group.  After adjusting for the age, sex, race, blood pressure, diabetes, and other stroke risk factors, most retinal microvascular abnormalities were predictive of stroke.  An increased risk of 2.6 was found with any abnormalities being present, 3.1 for microaneurysms (small dilated capillaries), 3.1 for deposits in the retina, 2.6 for blot-like hemorrhages, and 2.3 for flame-shaped hemorrhages.  

The authors of the study concluded that retinal microvascular abnormalities were related to stroke, and that retinal photography may be useful to determine risk of stroke in certain populations of people.

 

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