Routine eye examination could help to detect heart disease in diabetes patients

University of Leicester scientists have examined the potential of routine eye examinations in detecting signs of subclinical cardiovascular disease among type 2 diabetes patients.

As part of the study, the scientists examined retinal photographs from 255 asymptomatic adults with type 2 diabetes who had no previous history of cardiovascular disease.

Within this group, 78% had no diabetic retinopathy and 22% had mild background retinopathy.

The presence of retinopathy was associated with a greater burden of coronary atherosclerosis.

Writing in Nature Scientific Reports, the researchers highlighted: “Routine diabetic eye screening may serve as an effective alternative to currently advocated screening tests for detecting subclinical cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes, presenting opportunities for earlier detection and intervention.”

The research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre.

NIHR academic clinical lecturer in cardiology at the University of Leicester, Dr Gaurav Gulsin, explained: “We found that the presence of diabetic retinopathy was associated with silent cardiovascular disease, including higher burden of coronary artery disease and signs of early heart failure.”

“This association allows us to suggest that results from routine screening for diabetic retinopathy should also be used as an indication of a patient’s heart health – providing an opportunity for early intervention and an effective alternative to current screening tests,” Gulsin shared.