Tool / wearable
Retinal Imaging
Last updated 2026-07-02· Last reviewed 2026-07-02· 1 min read
Reviewed by the Ultimate Longevity Bible editorial team. Educational reference — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
What each modality does
- Fundus photography: photograph of the retinal surface — detects hypertensive changes, diabetic retinopathy, drusen, optic-disc appearance.
- OCT (optical coherence tomography): cross-sectional micron-resolution imaging — detects retinal layer thinning (glaucoma, AD-associated), macular fluid (AMD), and neuronal loss.
- OCT-A (angiography): microvascular network imaging.
Longevity relevance
- Retinal-age prediction models (from fundus photos + AI) correlate with mortality.
- Retinal-nerve-fibre-layer thinning is an early biomarker of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research settings.
- Microvascular changes visible in the retina reflect systemic vascular health.
Practical
- Routine ophthalmology exams already include some retinal imaging.
- Consumer / at-home fundus cameras exist but are not yet mainstream.
- OCT is now standard in most optometrist practices.
Related entries
Cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, Macular degeneration.