In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers have discovered that the tiny blood vessels in the human eye can provide critical clues not just about vision, but also about heart health and the body’s biological aging process.
The research, conducted by scientists at Canada’s McMaster University and published in the journal Science Advances, suggests the eye offers a non-invasive window into the body’s circulatory system.
According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Marie Pigeyre, the changes observed in the eye’s retina reflect the health of small blood vessels elsewhere in the body. The study, which analyzed data from over 74,000 individuals, found that people with less-branched retinal blood vessels had a higher risk of heart disease, elevated levels of inflammation, and a shorter average lifespan.
This discovery could pave the way for new treatments for heart disease and aging. Dr. Pigeyre predicts that in the future, retinal scans could become a standard part of routine medical check-ups to assess cardiovascular risk and “vascular aging” at an early stage.
