Many studies have established that certain eye medical conditions share a relationship with an elevated risk of stroke. These conditions include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinal vein occlusion.

Besides these established links, studies are underway to determine the association between other eye characteristics and stroke risk.

Eye characteristics associated with elevated stroke risk

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK, found a correlation between retinal vessel caliber and the incidence of stroke. The research looked at over 4,000 people aged between 50 and 70 years.

The study found that those with a relatively high retinal arteriolar or venular caliber, had a higher risk of stroke in the subsequent 20 years.

The study also revealed that overweight individuals with high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and smokers had the thinnest retinas and narrower arterioles or venules.

These facts suggest that maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, adhering to a healthy diet, and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control, may lower the stroke risk and assist in maintaining a healthy retina.

Another study published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism investigated changes in the eye during different stages of intracranial pressure (ICP) instability.

Researchers found that in stroke patients with high ICP, blood flow to the eye was significantly reduced. The study showed that cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity and ICP variability were each linked to reduced ocular blood flow. The study suggests that eye evaluation may serve as a non-invasive tool to examine CBF and pressure fluctuations.

Evaluating the optic nerve head for signs of elevated stroke risk

The optic nerve head (ONH) is the area where the optic nerve and the blood vessels enter the eye and is also the point where eye pressure is measured.

In some studies, the researchers evaluated the ONH to identify possible signs of elevated stroke risk.

To determine the association between ONH characteristics and stroke risk, another study analyzed 495 stroke patients and 473 control individuals.

Researchers used ocular color photographs to determine ONH morphologic characteristics and assessed the arteries and veins at the optic disc. The study revealed that some ONH morphologic characteristics, including area, shape, and location of the optic disc, were associated with an elevated stroke risk in people with hypertension.

What do eye characteristics suggest regarding stroke risk?

Eye characteristics can offer an insight into a patient’s risk of stroke. Early detection and maintenance of healthy eye function can go a long way in lowering the risk of stroke.

Similarly, reduced blood flow to the optic nerve can indicate pressure instability within the brain and so eye assessment can be a useful code for screening for signs of possible stroke.

Conclusion

Eye characteristics can offer a valuable insight into stroke risk.

Ophthalmologists can play a vital role in screening patients for eye conditions linked to elevated risk and assist in implementing preventive interventions that limit the risk of stroke.