Evidence for the Hepato-Retinal Axis: A Systematic Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2024

Publication Title

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Liver health has been reported to be associated with retinal pathology in various ways. These include deposition of retino-toxins, neovascular drive, and disruption of the blood-retina barrier. Extrahepatic synthesis of implicated molecules and hemodynamic changes in liver dysfunction are also considered. The objective was to review the current evidence for and against a hepato-retinal axis that may guide further areas of preclinical and clinical investigation.

METHODS: This was a systematic review. PubMed and Cochrane were queried for English language studies examining the connection between hepatic dysfunction and retinal pathology.

RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included and examined out of 604 candidate publications. The studies selected include preclinical studies as well as clinical case series and studies.

CONCLUSIONS: Several liver pathologies may be linked to retinal pathology as mediated by hepatically synthesized molecules. The hepato-retinal axis may be present and further, targeted studies of the axis are warranted.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Blood-Retinal Barrier; Liver; Liver Diseases; Retina; Retinal Diseases

PubMed ID

39037358

Volume

55

Issue

10

First Page

587

Last Page

596

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