Retina "Fingerprint" Predicts Stroke Risk

Researchers have discovered a vascular "fingerprint" on the retina that can predict a person's risk of a stroke as accurately as traditional risk factors alone, but without the need for multiple invasive lab tests.

The retina's intricate vascular network is known to share common anatomical and physiological features with he vasculature of the brain, making it ideal candidate for assessing damage from systematic health issues, such as diabetes.

Researches said the potential of fundus photography for stroke risk prediction hasn't been fully explored, due to "inconsistent" study finding. However, machine learning, such as the retina-based microvascular health assessment system (RMHAS), has opened possibilities to identify biological markers that can accurately predict stroke risk without the need for invasive lab tests.

"The non-invasive nature of retinal analysis paves the way for easier, more accessible stroke risk screening, especially in primary care settings. this approach could inform future policy regarding stroke prevention strategies, potentially leading to earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes."

Reference:

Yusufu M, Friedman DS, Kang M, et al. Retinal vascular fingerprints predict incident stroke: Findings from the UK biobank cohort study. Heart, published Online First: 13 Jan 2025: doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2024-324705.