Scientists at McMaster University have discovered that a simple scan of your eyes could reveal whether you're at risk of heart disease and how quickly your body is ageing.
The groundbreaking research, published in Science Advances, found that the tiny blood vessels in your retina act as a window into your overall health.
According to recent findings, those with simpler, less complex blood vessel patterns in their eyes face higher risks of cardiovascular problems and show signs of faster biological ageing.
The study, which looked at more than 74,000 people, suggests eye scans might soon become a quick way to check your heart health.
The research brought together data from four major studies, including the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and the UK Biobank.
Scientists from McMaster and the Population Health Research Institute examined retinal scans alongside genetic information and blood samples.
What they found was striking. "People with simpler, less branched blood vessels were at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and showed signs of biological ageing, such as higher inflammation and shorter lifespan," McMaster University confirmed.
Your eyes act as a window into your overall health
| GETTYThe eye's blood vessels essentially mirror what's happening in small vessels throughout the body, making them perfect indicators of overall vascular health.
"By connecting retinal scans, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how ageing affects the vascular system," said Marie Pigeyre, the study's senior author and associate professor at McMaster's Department of Medicine.
"The eye provides a unique, non-invasive view into the body's circulatory system. Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the body's small vessels."
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'The eye provides a unique, non-invasive view into the body's circulatory system'
|GETTY
This connection between eye health and overall vascular ageing opens up exciting possibilities for early detection and intervention in cardiovascular disease.
The research team identified two proteins that could become targets for future medicines: MMP12 and IgGFc receptor IIb, both linked to inflammation and vascular ageing.
"Our findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular ageing, reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases, and ultimately improving lifespan," Ms Pigeyre said.
While the hope is that retinal scans could eventually replace multiple tests currently needed to assess conditions like heart disease, stroke, and dementia, the technology isn't quite there yet, researchers confirmed.
For now, doctors still need comprehensive clinical assessments to get the full picture.
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