Noninvasive method for determining the presence of systemic hypertension in a subject

Abstract

A non-invasive method for determining and characterizing the presence of damage or abnormalities resulting from or concomitant with systemic hypertension in subject. This method is comprised of the acquisition of ocular image(s) and subsequent evaluation, classification and/or interpretation of these image(s). The ocular image(s) may be acquired by photography. Evaluation, classification, and/or interpretation may be automated or involve the active participation of a human. The ocular images may be classified into either a normal or clinical group or compared to an algorithm of hypertensive symptoms. The ocular images may, additionally, be processed and have the pertinent characteristics extracted to make the classification more exact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-invasive method for diagnosing hypertension in a subject comprising:
 a) acquiring one or more ocular images;   b) processing said ocular images;   c) extracting one or more ocular characteristics from said ocular images; and   d) classifying said ocular characteristics.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein any of steps a) through d) are performed using an automated device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said ocular images are acquired using photography. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ocular images are electronically transmitted to a medical service provider or instrument for further analysis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said ocular characteristics are classified as either normal or abnormal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising classifying said ocular characteristics into a clinical classification. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said clinical classification is selected from the group consisting of Normotensive, Pre-Hypertensive, Stage 1 Hyertensive and Stage 2 Hypertensive. 
     
     
         8 . A non-invasive method of determining the progression of hypertension in a subject comprising:
 a) acquiring, processing and extracting a first ocular characteristic according to the method of  claim 1 ;   b) acquiring, processing and extracting a second ocular characteristic according to the method of  claim 1 ; and   c) comparing the first ocular characteristic and the second ocular characteristic;   
       wherein the first ocular characteristic and the second ocular characteristic are acquired, processed and extracted sequentially over time and wherein differences in the ocular characteristics indicate the relative change in hypertension status in said subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising classifying said second ocular characteristic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein any of steps a) through c) are performed using an automated device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said ocular images are acquired using photography. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising classifying said second ocular characteristic into a clinical classification. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said clinical classification is selected from the group consisting of Normotensive, Pre-Hypertensive, Stage 1 Hypertensive and Stage 2 Hypertensive. 
     
     
         14 . A non-invasive method of diagnosing hypertension in a subject comprising:
 a) acquiring, processing and extracting one or more ocular characteristics according to the method of  claim 1 ; and   b) comparing said ocular characteristics to a database of standard ocular characteristics obtained from a non-hypertensive population;   
       wherein differences between the subject's ocular characteristics and the database of standard ocular characteristics indicates an abnormality in the subject's ocular characteristics. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising classifying said subject's ocular characteristics. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein any of steps a) through b) are performed using an automated device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said subject's ocular images are acquired using photography. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising classifying said ocular characteristics into a clinical classification. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said clinical classification is selected from the group consisting of Normotensive, Pre-Hypertensive, Stage 1 Hypertensive and Stage 2 Hypertensive.