The network of tiny blood vessels within the eyes may offer powerful clues about a person's risk of heart disease and how quickly their body is aging, according to new research from McMaster University and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), a joint institute of Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster.
Published in Science Advances on October 24, 2025, the study suggests that simple retinal scans could eventually serve as a non-invasive tool to evaluate both cardiovascular health and biological aging. Such scans may one day help doctors detect problems early and guide preventive care before symptoms appear.
Linking the Eyes, Genes, and Blood
"By connecting retinal scans, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system," says Marie Pigeyre, senior author of the study and an associate professor in McMaster's Department of Medicine.
According to Pigeyre, the eye provides an accessible and unique view into the body's circulatory system. "Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the body's small vessels," she explains.
To explore these relationships, the researchers analyzed retinal images, genetic profiles, and blood samples from more than 74,000 participants drawn from four large-scale studies: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research Tayside Study (GoDARTS), the UK Biobank (UKBB), and the PHRI Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.
Their analysis revealed that individuals with simpler and less branched retinal vessels tended to have a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease. These same individuals also showed biological signs of accelerated aging, including increased inflammation and a reduced lifespan.
Today, evaluating conditions related to aging such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia usually requires multiple, complex tests. Researchers hope that retinal imaging could one day simplify this process, providing a fast and accessible measure of both aging and cardiovascular risk. However, they note that for now, such scans are just one part of a broader clinical picture that still requires comprehensive testing.
Discovering Molecular Clues Behind Aging
A deeper look at blood biomarkers and genetic data revealed more than simple associations -- it pointed to biological mechanisms that may drive these changes. Researchers identified several key proteins linked to inflammation and vascular aging, suggesting new avenues for drug development.
Among the most notable proteins were MMP12 and IgG-Fc receptor IIb, both associated with age-related damage in blood vessels. According to Pigeyre, these molecules could represent promising therapeutic targets.
"Our findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular aging, reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases, and ultimately improving lifespan," Pigeyre says.
The study drew on blood protein biomarker data from the PHRI-led Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological study, an international research initiative.
Funding for the project came from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the E.J. Moran Campbell Internal Career Research Award from McMaster University, and the Early Career Research Award from Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS). Retinal image analyses conducted through the CLSA were additionally supported by an HHS New Investigator Fund.
The network of tiny blood vessels within the eyes may offer powerful clues about a person's risk of heart disease and how quickly their body is aging, according to new research from McMaster University and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), a joint institute of Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster.
Published in Science Advances on October 24, 2025, the study suggests that simple retinal scans could eventually serve as a non-invasive tool to evaluate both cardiovascular health and biological aging. Such scans may one day help doctors detect problems early and guide preventive care before symptoms appear.
Linking the Eyes, Genes, and Blood
"By connecting retinal scans, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system," says Marie Pigeyre, senior author of the study and an associate professor in McMaster's Department of Medicine.
According to Pigeyre, the eye provides an accessible and unique view into the body's circulatory system. "Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the body's small vessels," she explains.
To explore these relationships, the researchers analyzed retinal images, genetic profiles, and blood samples from more than 74,000 participants drawn from four large-scale studies: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research Tayside Study (GoDARTS), the UK Biobank (UKBB), and the PHRI Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.
Their analysis revealed that individuals with simpler and less branched retinal vessels tended to have a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease. These same individuals also showed biological signs of accelerated aging, including increased inflammation and a reduced lifespan.
Today, evaluating conditions related to aging such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia usually requires multiple, complex tests. Researchers hope that retinal imaging could one day simplify this process, providing a fast and accessible measure of both aging and cardiovascular risk. However, they note that for now, such scans are just one part of a broader clinical picture that still requires comprehensive testing.
Discovering Molecular Clues Behind Aging
A deeper look at blood biomarkers and genetic data revealed more than simple associations -- it pointed to biological mechanisms that may drive these changes. Researchers identified several key proteins linked to inflammation and vascular aging, suggesting new avenues for drug development.
Among the most notable proteins were MMP12 and IgG-Fc receptor IIb, both associated with age-related damage in blood vessels. According to Pigeyre, these molecules could represent promising therapeutic targets.
"Our findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular aging, reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases, and ultimately improving lifespan," Pigeyre says.
The study drew on blood protein biomarker data from the PHRI-led Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological study, an international research initiative.
Funding for the project came from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the E.J. Moran Campbell Internal Career Research Award from McMaster University, and the Early Career Research Award from Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS). Retinal image analyses conducted through the CLSA were additionally supported by an HHS New Investigator Fund.
Read more https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093018.htm