Components of blood cell count may correlate with retinal vessel diameters

Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(4):490-497.

Research in which retinal vessel diameters are the primary outcomes of interest should include blood cell counts as notable determinants or correlates, a study suggested.

The cross-sectional analysis drew its data from the baseline examinations of the Beaver Dam Eye Study cohort, which included 4,730 eligible participants. Blood pressure measurements, medical history and fundus photographs of the optic disc were obtained.

The study found that blood components shown through a complete blood cell count significantly correlated with retinal vessel diameters, outweighing the relative importance of sex, age and diabetes status.

In analyses adjusted for sex and age, red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit and white blood cell count were associated with central retinal venule equivalent and central retinal arteriole equivalent. Platelet count was associated with only central retinal venule equivalent.

In more fully adjusted models, these relationships persisted; however, platelet count became associated with central retinal arteriole equivalent.

The study authors noted that these results may not be applicable to longitudinal data.