Factors Associated With Retinal Vessel Traits in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
Alexis O'Neil1, Roshan A Welikala2, Sarah Barman2
1School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 6, 2025
Summary
Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes are linked to changes in retinal blood vessels over time. These findings highlight key factors influencing eye health and disease development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Aging Research
Background:
- Retinal blood vessel traits are indicators of vascular health.
- Understanding factors influencing these traits is crucial for preventing eye diseases.
- The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) provides a valuable dataset for such investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify cross-sectional and longitudinal factors associated with retinal vessel diameter, total area, and tortuosity.
- To analyze these associations within a large, aging population cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized retinal images from 26,076 participants in the CLSA Comprehensive Cohort (ages 45-85).
- Employed QUARTZ, a deep-learning algorithm, for automated retinal vessel analysis.
- Used multiple linear regression to assess associations with demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors over a 3-year follow-up period.
Main Results:
- Current smoking was linked to wider arterioles/venules and increased venular area over 3 years.
- Obesity correlated with increased venular diameter, area, tortuosity, and changes in venular area.
- Higher diastolic blood pressure was associated with narrower vessels and reduced tortuosity.
- Diabetes was linked to wider arteriolar diameters, with Type 1 diabetes associated with arteriolar widening over time.
Conclusions:
- Identified significant longitudinal associations between smoking, obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes with retinal vessel traits.
- These findings underscore the role of modifiable lifestyle and medical factors in retinal vascular changes.
- Understanding these relationships is vital for predicting and managing eye diseases associated with vascular health.
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