AIM: To study clinical reference value of retinal microvascular changes in patients with cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)and discuss its clinical significance.

METHODS:From January 2012 to December 2013, 125 hospitalized patients were collected, including 81 cases were male, 44 cases were female, mean age 76.3±11.2 years old. For all patients, functions of liver and kidney, blood-lipoids, blood sugar and blood biochemical examination were tested, and fundus photography and cerebral MR was done. According to the fundus camera eyes, retinal arteriolar equivalent(RAE), retinal venular equivalent(RVE), retinal vein diameter ratio(AVR)and arteriovenous crossing sign(AVN)were identified, CMBs were classified with cerebral MRI. All the data were processed by SPSS statistical software.

RESULTS: The central retinal arteriolar equivalent(CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent(CRVE)and AVR values in the eyes were found no statistical difference(P<0.05). Of CMBs classification, the grade 0 in 75 cases, 1 in 27 cases, 2 in 9 cases and 3 in 14 cases were included. The RVE, AVR and AVN and the different grades of CMBs had statistically significant correlation(P<0.01). The higher CMBs classification, the more obvious retinal microvascular changes were found. In respectively to eliminate risk factors such as age, sex, blood glucose and blood pressure, AVR and AVN were still influencing factors for CMBs classification.

COCLUSION: The results show that retinal microvascular changes, especially small retinal vein arteriovenous cross width, and arteriovenous crossing phenomenon, in which CMBs will happen more likely. After sex, age, hypertension and hyperglycemia in patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors being ruled out, the retinal microvascular changes are still relatively factors of CMB's occurrence.