New Headline: Eyes Reveal Hidden Clues to Aging and Heart Health

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered that the eyes may offer a powerful, non-invasive way to assess heart health and biological aging. By analyzing retinal scans alongside genetic and blood data from over 74,000 participants, they found that simpler, less branched eye vessels were linked to higher cardiovascular risk and faster aging. According to a study published in Science Advances on October 24, 2025, the network of tiny blood vessels within the eyes mirrors the body's biological age and heart health. The researchers, led by Dr. Hertzel C. Gerstein, a professor of medicine at McMaster University, used a combination of retinal scans, genetic data, and blood tests to assess the participants' cardiovascular risk and biological age. "This is a game-changer for cardiovascular disease prevention," said Dr. Gerstein. "We can now use a simple retinal scan to identify individuals at higher risk of heart disease and age-related decline, even before symptoms appear." The researchers found that individuals with simpler, less branched eye vessels were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and experience faster biological aging. The study's findings have significant implications for public health. "Our research suggests that retinal scans could be used as a non-invasive tool to identify individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease and age-related decline," said Dr. Scott Lear, a professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia. "This could lead to earlier interventions and improved health outcomes for millions of people worldwide." The study's results are based on data from the Population Health Research Institute's (PHRI) Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, which has been tracking the health of over 150,000 participants in 21 countries since 2003. The researchers analyzed data from over 74,000 participants who underwent retinal scans as part of the study. The researchers believe that the study's findings could lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments for cardiovascular disease and age-related decline. "Our study highlights the importance of the eye as a window into the body's overall health," said Dr. Gerstein. "We look forward to further research in this area and exploring the potential of retinal scans as a tool for disease prevention and early detection." The study's findings have been met with enthusiasm by experts in the field. "This study is a major breakthrough in our understanding of the relationship between the eyes and cardiovascular health," said Dr. Lawrence L. L. Lui, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Toronto. "We are eager to see how this research will translate into improved health outcomes for patients." The researchers plan to continue studying the relationship between retinal scans and cardiovascular health, with the goal of developing new diagnostic tools and treatments for age-related decline and cardiovascular disease.