WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD March 14, 2012 -- To
update the old saying, the eyes may be the windows to the brain.
A new study suggests that people with even minimal eye damage
involving the blood vessels of the retina, due to vascular
disease, have a higher risk for memory and thinking declines.
Researchers say problems with the blood vessels in the eyes may
be an important clue that the blood vessels in the brain are not
functioning properly. If this proves to be the case, eye
screening to check for damage to the blood vessels of the
retina, or retinopathy, could potentially help identify people
at risk for dementia. Retinopathy is a common complication of
diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure, and it is a
leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States.
Diabetes and high blood pressure have also been linked to a
higher risk for memory and thinking declines. To find out
whether retinopathy might serve as an early warning sign of
vascular-related mental issues, researchers exam