PubMed ID: 29227361
Author(s): Gu JK, Charles LE, Klein R, Grady LM, Ma CC, Allison P, Violanti JM, Andrew ME. Association between blood pressure and retinal vessel diameters among police officers in the US northeast. J Occup Environ Med. 2018 Mar;60(3):234-240. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001246. PMID 29227361
Journal: Journal Of Occupational And Environmental Medicine, Volume 60, Issue 3, Mar 2018
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine relationships of blood pressure with central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) among 242 police officers.
METHODS Computerized retinal images of each eye were taken. Mean values of CRAE and CRVE were compared across hypertension status categories using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance. Associations of mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) with CRAE and CRVE were obtained using regression models.
RESULTS CRAE was significantly narrower in officers with uncontrolled hypertension (142.8 ± 2.7 μm), compared with those with controlled hypertension (153.6 ± 2.7 μm, P = 0.0013) and those with no hypertension (156.4 ± 1.0 μm, P ≤ 0.0001) after covariate adjustment. CRAE decreased by 3.43 μm for each 5 mm Hg increase in MABP (P ≤ 0.0001).
CONCLUSION Uncontrolled hypertension was significantly associated with narrower retinal arterioles. No association was observed with retinal venules.