Scientists have revealed that images taken from the back of the eye can predict the risk of stroke. Analysis of blood vessels in the retina offers a new way to assess damage to blood vessels in the brain.
Stroke is a serious health problem that affects millions of people around the world every year. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. However, scientists have shown that this risk can be predicted not only based on lifestyle and health factors, but also with images taken from the back of the eye.
A NEW ERA IN RETINAL IMAGING
An international team of ophthalmologists analyzed retinal images from more than 45,000 people. The study was conducted using a special imaging technique called fundus photography. A machine learning program called the Retina-Based Microvascular Health Assessment System studied 118 different characteristics, such as the density, complexity and thickness of blood vessels.
The study found that 749 people had their first stroke over a 12.5-year period. These individuals tended to be older, male, smokers, diabetic and overweight. High blood pressure and low HDL (good cholesterol) levels were also more common in this group.
IT CAN PREDICT THE RISK OF STROKE
The researchers found that 29 measurable "fingerprint" differences in the retina were associated with stroke risk. Of these, 17 were linked to the density of blood vessels. Each change in blood vessel density produced a 10% to 19% difference in stroke risk.
These findings suggest that retinal imaging may be a practical and applicable method for assessing stroke risk, and could be an important step in preventing serious health problems such as stroke, especially in areas where healthcare is limited.
Source : https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr