Neuroretinal and Photoreceptor Layer Thickness Reduction Associates With Impaired Cardiovascular Health: The UK Biobank Study

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 2026 Open access

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Authors: Yu Peng, Yuzhou Zhang, Ka Wai Kam, Mary Ho, Simon Sezto, Sunny Chi Lik Au, Charlene Yim, Xiujuan Zhang, Mandy P. H. Ng, Patrick Ip, Alvin Lerrmann Young, Chi Pui Pang
+3 more Clement Chee-Yung Tham, Li Jia Chen, Jason C. S. Yam
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.67.1.19
Cited by: 0
References: 45

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate layer-specific relationships between retinal architecture, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and cardiovascular health (CVH). Methods: We analyzed data from 26,230 UK Biobank participants with high-quality spectral-domain OCT images and complete CVH assessments. CVH was quantified using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score. Multivariable linear regression models assessed associations between thickness of eight retinal layers and CVH. The diagnostic performance of retinal layer thickness for identifying poor CVH (LE8 score

Fields of Study & Subjects

Retinal Imaging and Analysis Retinal Development and Disorders Retinal Diseases and Treatments

Publication details

Journal / source
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Volume
67
Issue
1
Pages
19–19
Publication date
8 January 2026
Language
EN