November 2023

OPHTHALMOLOGY

INDEPENDENCE OF OCULAR BIOMARKERS OF CARDIAC RISK IN MACULAR DEGENERATION

Featuring: Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD

​​Recent research conducted by Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD, the Ryan-Pusateri Professor of Ophthalmology at Northwestern Medicine, published in Ophthalmology Retina, sheds light on the independence of ocular biomarkers of cardiac risk in macular degeneration. The study focuses on two specific biomarkers: Retinal ischemic perivascular lesions (RIPLs) and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Both have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These biomarkers are believed to be caused by microvascular insults in different areas of the eye's circulation, suggesting a shared vascular mechanism.

In this retrospective, non-masked, cross-sectional observational study, the researchers examined 31 eyes of 17 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They counted the number of RIPLs and measured the percentage of macular area affected by SDDs. They found no correlation between the number of RIPLs and the percentage of macular area affected by SDDs (Pearson's r = 0.18, p = 0.3339).

This groundbreaking discovery suggests that RIPLs and SDDs occur independently in eyes with AMD. As a result, they may serve as separate predictors of cardiovascular disease risk. The implications are significant, as automated tools to identify RIPLs and SDDs could potentially streamline the estimation of cardiovascular risk for AMD patients during routine ophthalmology visits. This would enable clinicians to better identify high-risk patients and recommend further evaluation.
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Excitingly, Dr. Mirza’s lab is collaborating with the Department of Computer Science in Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering to develop automated tools using artificial intelligence. These tools aim to accurately identify RIPLs and SDDs, ultimately enhancing the assessment of cardiovascular risk in AMD patients.
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Read more about the study >
Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD, the Ryan-Pusateri Professor of Ophthalmology at Northwestern Medicine
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