Windows into our hearts

Damaged: Diabetic retinopathy of the left eye. — Health Ministry

BESIDES being the “windows to the soul” as it’s poetically said, our eyes can also be regarded as windows to our heart. Though these two vital organs may not seem to be linked, they actually share many similar features, particularly in the aspects of their blood vessels.

The network of blood vessels at the back of the eye is closely related to heart health. These blood vessels are the only vasculature in the human body that is visible without requiring invasive methods of investigation. An examination with careful viewing of the inner and outer part of the eye often can reveal early signs of cardiovascular disease (which may later present acutely as a heart attack or stroke).