Retinal Vessel Characteristics and Eye Disease Pathogenesis: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract

Retinal vessel characteristics have been linked to various health and lifestyle factors and age-related eye diseases. However, most studies have been cross-sectional, limiting our understanding of how retinal vessels change over time and the temporality of vascular mechanisms underlying eye disease. Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Comprehensive Cohort, this research cross-sectionally and longitudinally investigated the relationships between retinal vessel traits and 1) sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors, 2) the prevalence and 3-year incidence of glaucoma and changes in intraocular pressure and cup-to-disc ratio, and 3) the prevalence of macular degeneration at baseline and its 3-year incidence. We confirmed that retinal vessel traits are related to factors such as age, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers, and provided additional evidence for a pathogenic role of the retinal vasculature in eye disease development. This research offers a comprehensive analysis with implications for improved treatment and prevention strategies in ophthalmology.