Heart disease : Early signs can be detected in the eyes

A study suggests that eye doctors can detect signs of heart disease during a comprehensive eye exam. The research indicates that individuals with heart disease often have retinas marked by evidence of eye stroke, a condition where the eye is deprived of blood flow and oxygen, resulting in the formation of a retinal ischemic perivascular lesion.

OCT scans of the retina can detect disease and dysfunction in all parts of the body, not just the eyes, according to ophthalmologist Joseph Nezgoda, MD, a retina specialist. Eye scans can also detect signs of underlying health conditions.

How eye examination can be a valuable tool in detecting heart disease

Eye doctors are often the first to detect health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke due to their ability to see live blood vessel, nerve, and connecting tissue without invasive procedures.

Researchers found that those with heart disease tend to have a greater number of marks left by eye strokes, as revealed by a study of 84 people with heart disease and 76 healthy individuals who had received a retinal OCT scan.

Early detection of heart disease can significantly save lives.

Early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, the leading cause of death globally, can prevent heart attacks or strokes. In the future, ophthalmologists may refer patients with eye strokes on an OCT scan to a cardiologist, especially if they haven't had a comprehensive health check or family history of heart disease.