South Korean Researchers Develop RAG Technique for Noninvasive Assessment of Retinal Biological Age

Innovative Approach to Measuring Human Biological Age

According to НВ — Техно: Scientists at Seoul National University have introduced a groundbreaking method to estimate a person's biological age by analyzing retinal images using the advanced RAG technology. This extensive study involved nearly 30,000 retinal scans from over 14,000 participants. The technique offers an accurate evaluation of biological aging and reveals significant links between retinal biological age and various diseases as well as lifestyle factors.

Factors Influencing Retinal Biological Aging

The RAG method can predict chronological age with an impressive margin of error between 2.5 and 2.7 years. Research indicates that several conditions and habits contribute to accelerated retinal aging:

• Diabetes increases the retinal biological age by more than 2.5 years;
• Smoking adds approximately six months;
• Eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration also adversely affect the model's outcomes.

This noninvasive and user-friendly technology is well-suited for ophthalmology clinics, presenting promising applications in eye care and preventive health strategies. Future long-term studies are planned to examine how lifestyle choices and treatments impact retinal health, potentially enhancing the scope of this research.

Overall, the RAG technique paves the way for new insights into human biological aging and stands to become a vital tool in preventing and managing age-related illnesses. This advancement highlights the critical role of early diagnosis and ongoing health monitoring in improving life quality and reducing the risk of severe diseases.

Understanding the factors that influence biological aging is crucial for developing effective health strategies. Recent findings suggest that lifestyle modifications can significantly slow down the aging process, while certain supplements may have little to no effect on DNA aging. This underscores the importance of tailored approaches in managing age-related health issues.