Retinal microvasculature

retinal microvasculature

The retinal microvasculature refers to the network of very small blood vessels—arterioles, capillaries, and venules—within the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. These tiny vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to retinal cells and remove waste, which is essential for clear vision. Because the retina is one of the few places where blood vessels can be seen directly without surgery, examining this network gives doctors important clues about both eye health and overall circulation. Changes in the retinal microvasculature, such as narrowing, leakage, new abnormal vessel growth, or loss of capillaries, can signal eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Modern imaging methods, such as optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and fundus photography, let clinicians and researchers map these vessels in detail and detect subtle abnormalities before symptoms appear. Measuring the condition of these vessels can also reflect systemic problems like high blood pressure, diabetes and increased stroke or dementia risk, because similar small-vessel damage may occur elsewhere in the body. For patients, that means a routine eye exam can act as an early warning system for broader health issues and guide timely treatment. For researchers and clinicians, the retinal microvasculature offers an accessible window into how aging, disease and lifestyle affect blood vessels. Monitoring changes over time helps track disease progression and the effectiveness of treatments aimed at protecting vision and circulation. In short, the retinal microvasculature is a small but powerful indicator of both eye and overall health, making it a key focus for prevention, diagnosis and research.