Eye Photography May Reveal Stroke Risk, Study Finds | WPN World People News

Your eyes may provide a window into your risk for a stroke, a new study suggests.

By photographing the retina, researchers say they can predict the potential for stroke in people with high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is one of the most important factors involved in the development of stroke. But determining which hypertensive patients face the highest risk of stroke isn't possible.

Now, a simple eye examination may provide that information, however, that other studies are needed to confirm the findings.

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina. When that happens, the condition is known as hypertensive retinopathy. Retinal imaging is a non-invasive way to view blood vessel damage and possibly assess risk for stroke, a leading killer of Americans.

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops, either because of a clot or a hemorrhage.

Expert said the findings add to previous research on the value of retinopathy as an indicator of small vessel disease and increased risk of stroke.

More aggressive management of blood pressure may be needed in patients with signs of retinopathy in order to reduce stroke risk.

For the study, nearly 3,000 people with high blood pressure for an average of 13 years. At the start of the study, each participant had photos taken of their retinas -- the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye.

The researchers rated each patient's hypertensive retinopathy as none, mild or moderate/severe based on the damage evident in the photographs.

During the follow-up period, 165 participants suffered a stroke. The researchers found those with mild hypertensive retinopathy had a 35 percent higher risk for stroke, while those with moderate or severe retinopathy had a 137 percent increased risk.

Retinal damage also predicted increased risk for stroke in patients taking medication to keep their blood pressure under control, the researchers found. In this group, mild hypertensive retinopathy corresponded with a 96 percent increased risk for stroke and for those with moderate to severe hypertensive retinopathy, a 198 percent increased risk.

The risk for stroke remained even after taking into account factors such as age, sex, race, cholesterol levels, smoking, blood pressure readings and body-mass index (a measurement of body fat based on height and weight), the researchers said.

Although the researchers found an apparent link between retinal damage and increased stroke risk, the study did not prove a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services