People with atrial fibrillation have signs of the condition in the retinas of their eyes that can be detected as early as four years before diagnosis, finds a new study led by University College London (UCL) and Moorfields researchers.

The authors of the PLOS Digital Health paper analysed retinal imaging data from more than 90,000 people and discovered differences in the structure of the retina in people with atrial fibrillation, compared with those who do not have the condition.

Atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder, affects more than 1.5 million people in the UK, and substantially raises the risk of stroke, heart failure and death. Because atrial fibrillation often occurs intermittently, it can be missed on a standard electrocardiogram (ECG). As a consequence, many cases remain undiagnosed until a serious or life-threatening complication occurs.