ABSTRACT
The retina is a unique region where the vascular condition can be observed in vivo. It is a window to the systemic vasculature, as the retinal blood vessels are exposed to the same stresses and pathologies as the whole vascular system. The retinal vasculature status can be evaluated with high-resolution eye fundus color images, and variations in the retinal microcirculation can be used as an indicator of a lesion in the cerebral microvasculature. The features measured on these images can characterize retinal arteriolar narrowing, which is a marker of hypertension, or diabetic retinopathy (DR).
