A new study suggests that the tiny blood vessels in your eyes may hold important clues about your heart health and how fast your body is aging.
Researchers from McMaster University and the Population Health Research Institute found that simple eye scans could someday help doctors check for early signs of heart disease and other aging-related problems.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
The eyes are unique because they give doctors a clear view of the body’s small blood vessels. Changes in these eye vessels often match changes happening in the rest of the body. In this study, scientists combined data from eye scans, genetics, and blood samples to understand how aging affects the blood vessels and the body.
The researchers studied over 74,000 people from four major studies: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research Tayside Study (GoDARTS), the UK Biobank (UKBB), and the PURE study.
They found that people with simpler, less branched blood vessels in their eyes were more likely to develop heart disease. These people also showed signs of faster aging, such as higher levels of inflammation in the body and shorter life expectancy.
Right now, doctors use many different tests to check for diseases linked to aging, like heart problems, strokes, and memory loss. The hope is that one day, eye scans could give doctors a quicker and easier way to spot these issues early. However, the researchers say these scans are not enough by themselves and should be used along with other health checks.
The team didn’t just stop at images. They also looked at blood proteins and genetic information to understand why some people age faster. They discovered several proteins connected to inflammation and aging of blood vessels.
Two key proteins stood out: MMP12 and IgG-Fc receptor IIb. Both are linked to damage in blood vessels that happens with age. These proteins could one day be used to create new medicines to slow aging and lower the risk of heart disease.
Dr. Marie Pigeyre, the lead author, says these findings may help scientists find new ways to treat or even prevent diseases linked to aging. She believes the eye offers a special window into what’s happening inside the body and could become a helpful tool in future medical care.
The study was supported by several organizations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and McMaster University. It shows how combining data from the eyes, blood, and genes can uncover new ways to understand and possibly control how we age.
This research brings hope that one day, a quick scan of your eyes might tell doctors if your heart is healthy and if your body is aging too quickly. More work is needed, but these early results could lead to better ways to prevent and treat heart disease and other aging-related conditions.
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