Eye Scan as a Predictor of Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

A groundbreaking study suggests that a simple retinal eye scan can be a powerful tool in predicting the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke within the next decade. Supported by the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), this research highlights the potential of AI-analyzed eye imaging to serve as a non-invasive, quick, and efficient method for cardiovascular risk assessment.

The technology involves taking a routine digital photograph of the back of the eye, which is then analyzed by advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. Remarkably, this method can produce a personalized risk score within seconds, accurately predicting major cardiovascular events with an accuracy of about 70%. The insights gained from these scans could enable early interventions, such as lifestyle changes or medications like statins and blood pressure medicines, for those identified at higher risk.

Furthermore, researchers found that tracking changes in retinal health over three years could help monitor how an individual’s cardiovascular risk evolves. An increase in the AI-derived risk score over this period was associated with a 54% higher likelihood of experiencing a serious heart or stroke event.

This innovative approach leverages the fact that the blood vessels in the eyes reflect the condition of blood vessels throughout the body, including those supplying the heart. Damage or narrowing of blood vessels observed in the eye may indicate similar issues elsewhere, serving as early warning signs.

The study involved training AI on around 4,200 retinal images and testing it on over 1,200 participants. The system's ability to predict cardiovascular events was comparable to traditional health checks based on age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking habits. Combining eye scan results with conventional risk scores and genetic testing increased predictive accuracy to 73%, potentially allowing for better identification of individuals at risk.

While initially tested on people with diabetes, researchers believe this method could be broadly applicable, offering a quick and accessible way to assess cardiovascular risk during routine eye tests available at many high street clinics. Dr. Ify Mordi, a lead researcher from the University of Dundee, emphasizes the significance: "The eyes are a window to the heart. Damage or narrowing of the blood vessels in the eye can reflect similar issues in the heart's blood vessels, indicating a higher risk of events like heart attacks or strokes."

This novel use of retinal imaging and AI highlights a promising step towards improved cardiovascular prevention strategies, with further research needed to establish routine clinical implementation and confirm robustness across diverse populations.