title: Association of retinal microvascular caliber with blood pressure levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common ophthalmologic manifestation of hypertension is hypertensive retinopathy. Our study was designed to evaluate the factors that determine retinal vessel caliber in hypertensive subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 6-month period, retinal photographs were taken of participants during a routine yearly check-up. The photographs were evaluated by an ophthalmologist and the diameters of the individual retinal vessels were measured and summarized by a computer program. Data including patient's medical history, physical examination and laboratory evaluations were collected. The findings of the ophthalmologic examinations were analyzed with respect to the relevant systemic data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We evaluated 285 subjects (43 women) with an average age of 62 ± 9 years (range 33-87). Hypertension was reported in 204 (71.6%) subjects and diabetes mellitus in 60 subjects (21%). The arteriolar calibers were inversely related to age (R = - 017; p = 0.01). Retinal arteriolar and venular calibers were wider in smokers and in subjects with dyslipidemia. History of hypertension was not associated with any vascular changes. However, retinal arteriolar caliber was inversely related to blood pressure levels. Diuretic treatment was associated with narrow retinal venular caliber.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association between different cardiovascular risk factors and hypertensive retinopathy is complex. Effective blood pressure control has a beneficial effect on the vascular changes in the retina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Meir Hospital, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Raz
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gepstein
authors.forename: Yossi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rosman
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rechtman
authors.forename: Nira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koren-Morag
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Segev
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Assia
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grossman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014699:Venules / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology