Soon an eye test would be able to pick up the early signs of heart disease.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed the test which scans blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eyes. They are now launching a study involving more than 1,000 patients to see if the test is reliable.
For the study they would take high definition images of the patients’ retina and check for changes to blood vessel widths or unusually branched vessels. If successful, it will provide a way to test for disease without the need to carry out invasive procedures such as biopsies. The test would take a few seconds.
Dr Tom MacGillivray said, “We know that problems in the eye are linked to conditions such as diabetes and that abnormalities in the eyes’ blood vessels can also indicate vascular problems in the brain. If we can identify early problems in the blood vessels in the eyes we might potentially pinpoint signs of heart disease. This could help identify people who would benefit from early lifestyle changes and preventative therapies.”
Doctors believe the test could hold the key to slashing heart disease, particularly in Scotland, which has the highest death rate from the condition in western Europe. More than 8,000 people die each year, making it the second-highest cause of premature death north of the Border after cancer. The study will also feed into a wider research project, involving more than 4,000 patients, to assess whether CT scans are a more efficient alternative to current procedures to detect heart disease.
The project is being led by the Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) and involves the University of Dundee, NHS Lothian’s Princess Alexandra Eye Pavillion, Ninewells Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Researchers will use specialist equipment on loan from Optos – an eye care company based in Dunfermline, Fife.
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