Abstract
Background We investigated the mutual relationship of the progress of retinal microvascular lesions with that of cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD) over time. Methods We prospectively included acute ischemic stroke patients. The presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB), lacunar infarcts, leukoaraiosis and retinal microvascular lesions were interpreted. The retinal microvascular lesions through retinal photography included arterio-venular nicking, narrow arteriole, focal arterial narrowing, enhanced light reflex, and widened venule. Follow-up of the brain and eye evaluation was planned about one year after the initial examination. The progress of cerebral small vessel diseases and retinal microvascular lesions was assessed. Univariate analysis to test the relationship between retinal microvascular changes and CSVD changes was performed. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent relationship between retinal microvascular changes and CSVD changes over time. Results Total 98 patients (63 male) were enrolled. The mean time interval between the initial and follow-up exam was 15.8 months. Initial eye exam showed arterio-venular nicking in 72/88 (81.8%), enhanced light reflex in 56/88 (63.6%), focal arterial narrowing in 71/88 (80.7%), narrow arteriole in 84/88 (95.5%), and widened venule in 78/88 (88.6%). Progression of retinal microvascular lesions could be evaluated in 55 patients. Among them, progression was observed in 22 (40%). CMB progressed in 13/66 (19.7%), lacunar infarct in 13/76 (17.1%) and leukoaraiosis in 10/76 (10.2%). The progression of retinal microvascular lesions was not correlated with the progression of any type of cerebral small vessel diseases. The presence of hypertension was the independent factor which is significantly associated with the progression of CSVD. Conclusion The progression of retinal microvascular lesions was not correlated with the progression of cerebral small vessel diseases. Key words: Retinal vessels; Stroke, Lacunar; Cerebral microbleeds; Leukoaraiosis
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