According to a recent study, a frequent eye condition that can cause blindness could be a marker of a potential heart attack or stroke.
Stroke and heart attack could lead to vision loss
Icahn School of Medicine researchers at Mount Sinai in New York indicate that a type of age-related macular degeneration could increase cardiovascular disease risk. Nevertheless, the finding gives hope that medical professionals will be able to develop a method for cardiac issues screening.
Senior study author Theodore Smith said that for the first time, they have linked certain high-risk cardiovascular disorders to a specific type of AMD, one with subretinal dresenoid deposits (SDDS).
Such fatty lipids deposits develop beneath the retina neurons at the back of the eye, which are sensitive to light. They may therefore result in eyesight loss. It is challenging to detect, necessitating sophisticated imaging examinations.
Smith added that the study is the first robust connection between AMD and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, there is strong evidence of what happens with these diseases, greatly diminishing blood supply to the eyes. This results from reduced blood supply in the body or a blocked carotid artery that affects blood flow to the eye.
Poor blood circulation leads to vision loss
Due to poor blood circulation brought on by cardiovascular disease, vision loss might happen. On the other hand, it could be a symptom of a vascular disorder that exists beneath the surface. The results significantly impact public health and pave the way for widespread screening, beginning with eye exams.
Smith added that poor blood flow could damage any body part, and with stroke and cardiovascular disease, the leftover SDDs and destroyed retina are damaged. As a result, if the retina is destroyed, someone loses vision, leading to blindness.
For those over 65, AMD is the main cause of blindness. It is brought on by injury to the macula, the core region of the retina that controls vision for reading and driving. SDDs are cholesterol-containing structures that develop atop the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Unfortunately, SDDs are currently without a known treatment.
