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Influence of blood pressure on retinal vascular caliber in young children

Ling-Jun Li1, Carol Yim-Lui Cheung, Yang Liu

  • 1Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.

Ophthalmology
|March 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Higher systolic blood pressure (BP) in preschoolers is linked to narrower retinal arterioles and wider venules. This indicates elevated BP may impact the eye's microvasculature even in early childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Previous research indicates blood pressure (BP) significantly influences retinal vascular caliber in older individuals.
  • The impact of BP on retinal vasculature in very young children remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between BP and retinal vascular caliber in Singaporean Chinese preschoolers aged 4 to 5 years.
  • To determine if early childhood BP levels predict changes in retinal microvasculature.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 385 healthy Singaporean Chinese preschoolers (4-5 years old).
  • BP measurements were taken using an automated sphygmomanometer.
  • Retinal photography was performed after pupil dilation to analyze retinal vascular caliber using a computer imaging program.

Main Results:

  • Higher systolic BP was significantly associated with narrower retinal arterioles and wider retinal venules.
  • Each 10-mmHg increase in systolic BP correlated with a 2.00 μm narrowing of retinal arterioles and a 2.51 μm widening of retinal venules.
  • No significant association was found between diastolic BP or mean arterial BP and retinal vascular caliber.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated systolic BP in 4- to 5-year-old children is associated with changes in retinal microvascular dimensions.
  • These findings suggest that the detrimental effects of high blood pressure on the retina may begin in early childhood.
Abstract

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