Your eyes may reveal more about your health than how well you can see.
The retina, a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, contains tiny blood vessels and nerve cells. Changes in these structures can reflect not only eye health but also conditions affecting the rest of the body.
Scientists are now using artificial intelligence to explore whether retinal photographs can provide information about biological aging.
This emerging approach is known as Retinal Age.
What Is Retinal Age?
Retinal Age is an estimate derived from patterns visible in photographs of the retina.
Your chronological age tells you how many years you have lived. Retinal Age attempts to identify age-related characteristics in the eye that may reflect aspects of your biological health.
For example, a person aged 60 might receive a retinal age estimate of 65.
This does not mean their eyes have literally aged five additional years. It means that an algorithm has identified patterns associated with an older age.
Importantly, different retinal aging models measure different things. Some estimate chronological age, while others estimate biological age indicators derived from blood tests.
Their results are not necessarily interchangeable.
How Is Retinal Age Measured?
A specialised camera takes a photograph of the retina, usually without touching the eye.
Artificial intelligence then analyses features such as retinal blood vessels and other structural patterns.
The process is quick and non-invasive. Unlike many biological age assessments, retinal photography itself does not require a blood sample.
However, the reliability of the result depends on the algorithm, image quality and characteristics of the person being examined.
Eye conditions, including cataracts, may also affect image quality and the interpretation of results.
Can Retinal Age Predict Future Health Risks?
Research suggests that certain retinal aging patterns are associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality.
A large 2024 study developed an artificial intelligence model called RetiPhenoAge using retinal photographs and a blood-based biological age measure.
The researchers found associations between higher model scores and future cardiovascular events and mortality, even after accounting for several established health risk factors.
Some findings were also replicated in independent populations.
However, an association with future disease does not mean that a retinal age test can accurately predict what will happen to an individual person.
It remains uncertain whether retinal aging models provide enough additional information beyond established medical assessments to guide clinical decisions.
Can You Change Your Retinal Age?
There is currently insufficient evidence that lifestyle changes reliably reduce an AI-estimated Retinal Age or that lowering the score improves health outcomes.
Nevertheless, protecting cardiovascular and metabolic health remains important.
Regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, controlling blood pressure and managing diabetes can support the health of blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the retina.
Regular eye examinations also remain important, particularly for people with diabetes or other established risk factors.
These measures are beneficial regardless of a retinal age estimate.
