AI Eye Test Predicts Stroke Risk

A new study published in 'Heart' reveals that a simple eye test using artificial intelligence (AI) can predict stroke risk by analyzing 29 retinal blood vessel 'fingerprints'. This non-invasive method offers comparable predictive power to traditional risk factors and could be particularly beneficial in primary healthcare and low-resource settings. Researchers used fundus photography to examine retinal images from over 45,000 individuals, identifying patterns linked to a 9.8% to 19.5% increased stroke risk. The findings underscore the connection between retinal and cerebral vascular health, proposing retinal scans as a practical tool for early stroke detection. These results highlight the potential for integrating such techniques into routine health assessments to address modifiable risk factors like hypertension and poor diet, responsible for most strokes. The study suggests further research to facilitate the integration of retinal scanning into regular medical check-ups.