Retinal and peripheral vascular function in healthy individuals with low cardiovascular risk

Abstract Objective To assess retinal and peripheral microvascular function in individuals with low cardiovascular risk. Methods and results Retinal microvascular function was assessed using the dynamic vessel analyser (DVA) and peripheral vascular reactivity was measured using the digital thermal monitor (DTM) in 136 healthy participants. In addition, systemic blood pressure (BP) profiles, blood analyses for glucose and lipid metabolism markers (CHOL, HDL-c, LDL-c), as well as the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) were assessed in all participants. Based on peripheral vascular reactivity scores, participants were separated into 3 groups: high, intermediate and low risk. Participants with high risk showed a significant higher retinal arteriolar time to reach maximum dilation (tMD) than those with intermediate and low risk (p  Conclusion We conclude that signs of abnormal vascular function are similarly present and detectable in various microvascular beds, despite existing differences in their anatomical and physiological properties.