Association between Blood Pressure and Retinal Vessel Diameters among Police Officers in the US Northeast

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine relationships of blood pressure with central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) among 242 police officers. Methods: Computerized retinal images of each eye were taken. Mean values of CRAE and CRVE were compared across hypertension status categories using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance. Associations of mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) with CRAE and CRVE were obtained using regression models. Results: CRAE was significantly narrower in officers with uncontrolled hypertension (142.8 ± 2.7 μm), compared with those with controlled hypertension (153.6 ± 2.7 μm, P = 0.0013) and those with no hypertension (156.4 ± 1.0 μm, P ≤ 0.0001) after covariate adjustment. CRAE decreased by 3.43 μm for each 5 mm Hg increase in MABP (P ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: Uncontrolled hypertension was significantly associated with narrower retinal arterioles. No association was observed with retinal venules.