May 2003
Volume 44, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2003
Hypertension and Retinal Vascular Changes in an Older Population: The Blue Mountains Eye Study
H. Leung; J.J. Wang; P. Mitchell; E. Rochtchina; T.Y. Wong; R. Klein; Blue Mountains Eye Study
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • H. Leung
    Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • J.J. Wang
    Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • P. Mitchell
    Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • E. Rochtchina
    Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • T.Y. Wong
    Ophthalmology & Visual Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
  • R. Klein
    Ophthalmology & Visual Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
  • Blue Mountains Eye Study
    Ophthalmology & Visual Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  H. Leung, None; J.J. Wang, None; P. Mitchell, None; E. Rochtchina, None; T.Y. Wong, None; R. Klein, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  Australia Natinal Health & Medical Research Council project grant 153948; USA NIH EY06594, HL59259
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2003, Vol.44, 2051. doi:
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      H. Leung, J.J. Wang, P. Mitchell, E. Rochtchina, T.Y. Wong, R. Klein, Blue Mountains Eye Study; Hypertension and Retinal Vascular Changes in an Older Population: The Blue Mountains Eye Study . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003;44(13):2051.

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To describe the cross-sectional relationship between hypertension and retinal vascular changes in an older population. Methods: Retinal photographs from right eyes of participants (n= 3654, aged 49+ years) were digitized. All retinal vessels within 0.5-1.0 disc diameter from the optic disc margin were measured using a computer-assisted program. Summarized estimates of central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), representing the average arteriolar diameter, and arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR), were calculated. Focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous (A/V) nicking, and retinopathy lesions (microaneurysms, haemorrhages, hard/ soft exudates) were graded from 35 mm transparencies using a light box. Hypertension was defined in subjects using anti-hypertensive medication(s) or with systolic BP≥160mmHg or diastolic BP≥95mmHg at the examination. These cases were divided into 3 groups: controlled (using medication, normal BP), uncontrolled (using medication, high BP) and untreated (not using medication). Lowest quintiles of CRAE or AVR represented generalized arteriolar narrowing. Results: Of the 3355 participants with gradable photos, 1837 (54.9%) were normotensive, 609 (18.2%) had controlled, 441 (13.2%) uncontrolled and 459 (13.7%) untreated hypertension. The age-adjusted mean CRAE was 196,193,189 and 187µm and the adjusted mean AVR was 0.87, 0.86, 0.85 and 0.84, respectively, for the corresponding 4 groups. After adjusting for age, sex, body-mass index and smoking, persons with controlled, uncontrolled or untreated hypertension were significantly more likely than normotensive subjects to have: (1) smaller CRAE: adjusted odds ratios OR 1.5, (95% confidence intervals 1.2-1.9), 2.5 (1.9-3.2) and 2.0 (1.6-2.6), respectively; (2) lower AVR: adjusted OR 1.2 (0.9-1.5), 1.7 (1.3-2.1) and 1.7 (1.2-2.1), respectively; (3) focal arteriolar narrowing: 1.4 (0.9-2.1), 2.0 (1.3-2.9) and 2.5 (1.7-3.6), respectively); (4) AV nicking: 1.3 (0.9-1.8), 2.0 (1.4-3.0) and 1.9 (1.3-2.7) respectively; and (5) retinopathy lesions (in non-diabetic subjects): 1.4 (1.0-2.0), 2.0 (1.5-2.8) and 1.6 (1.1-2.2), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings from a general older population show a strong relationship of hypertension to retinal microvascular changes.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: ris • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: out • retina 
© 2003, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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