Canadian researchers have found that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes may help predict a person's risk of developing heart disease and how fast they are biologically ageing.
Published in the journal Science Advances, the study suggests that retinal scans could one day serve as a noninvasive window into the body’s overall vascular health and biological ageing status, offering new opportunities for early detection and intervention.
"By connecting retinal scans, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system," said Marie Pigeyre, Associate Professor at McMaster University’s Department of Medicine in Canada.
Pigeyre explained that the eye provides a unique, noninvasive view into the body's circulatory system, as “changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the body's small vessels.”
To conduct the study, the team combined retinal scans, genetic data, and blood sample analyses from over 74,000 participants. People with simpler, less branched blood vessels were found to be at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and showed signs of biological ageing, such as higher inflammation and shorter lifespan.
Currently, assessing age-related diseases like heart disease, stroke, and dementia requires multiple tests. The researchers hope that retinal scans alone could eventually become a quick, accessible way to assess ageing and cardiovascular risk.
The team also reviewed blood biomarkers and genetic data to identify biological causes behind changes in the eye's blood vessels. This analysis revealed two key proteins — MMP12 and IgG-Fc receptor IIb — both associated with 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," she said.
According to Pigeyre, these proteins could serve as potential targets for future drug development. The findings underline how the retina can serve as a mirror to systemic health, offering new possibilities for early detection, preventive care, and understanding the biology of ageing.
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