11/19/2025
Prevention Magazine reports a recent study published in ScienceAdvances found a less branched retinal microvasculature is associated “with more inflammation, higher risk of heart disease and stroke, and shorter lifespan.” Commenting on the study, American Optometric Association President Jacqueline Bowen, OD, said the research explores how retinal microvasculature may be a “window into the body’s circulatory system.” The study underscores the importance of eye exams beyond visual health. Bowen said, “Optometrists can detect more than 270 serious health conditions and identify personalized prevention plans to help patients improve health outcomes.”
Link to the study: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu1985