Does metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease affect the ocular circulation?

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Biology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing health concern.
• Ocular and cerebrovascular health are increasingly recognized as indicators of systemic metabolic status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate choroidal thickness (CT) and hemodynamic parameters of ocular (central retinal artery [CRA], ophthalmic artery [OA]) and carotid arteries (internal carotid artery [ICA], common carotid artery [CCA]) in MASLD patients.
• To assess carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in relation to MASLD severity.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 98 MASLD patients and 30 healthy controls.
• MASLD patients were staged using liver ultrasonography.
• Ocular and carotid vascular parameters (CT, artery velocities, indices) and CIMT were measured.

Main Results:

• MASLD patients, particularly in advanced stages, exhibited significantly decreased CT compared to controls.
• Hemodynamic parameters in OA, ICA, and CCA showed significant alterations (reduced flow velocities, increased resistance indices) in advanced MASLD stages.
• CIMT was significantly elevated in Stage 3 MASLD patients compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• MASLD significantly impacts ocular vascular structures, including choroidal thickness.
• The observed vascular changes suggest MASLD may be associated with an elevated risk of developing ocular pathologies.
• These findings highlight the importance of monitoring vascular health in MASLD patients.