Evaluation of the Capacity of a Camera to Identify Signs of Arteriosclerosis in Retinal Arterioles

Arteriosclerosis is a degenerative and dysmetabolic disease of the arterial walls. It is known to be the principal cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). Arteriosclerosis has an impact on the entire vascularization including the microvascularization. The retina is a nervous tissue that is supported by microvascularization. Therefore, systemic diseases that affect the nervous or the cardiovascular system are susceptible to have manifestations in the retina. Retinal signs associated to the risks to develop CAD (qualitative appreciation; diameter and appearance of arterioles) have been suggested. A quantitative approach would strengthen the interpretation of these evaluations. The Metabolic Hyperspectral Retinal Camera (MHRC) - the experimental instrument - has the capacity to identify and quantify a variety of biomolecules specific to the retina and the optic nerve. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if the MHRC has the capacity to detect a specific hyperspectral signature in the retinal arterioles of subjects suffering from arteriosclerosis.