People with schizophrenia have wider retinal venules

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/818774?src=rss

I came across this statement from the article (emphasis added):

Since I had that psychotic episode at 14, I wonder if my retinal venules are dilated. I had a recent ophthalmologic examination, so evidence of dilated retinal venules may have been revealed in that examination. I've called and left a message asking them to get back to me with that information.

It would solve a mystery for me. I have never experienced psychotic symptoms that I can remember but my mother says that I once thought the trees were talking for a short time during which I was afraid of them. It'd be interesting to know if psychotic symptoms lasting less than 24 hours (therefore not a disorder) could cause the same dilation and if those were even psychotic symptoms I was experiencing in the first place.

will this have any effect on vision in people on the schizoid spectrum?

I don't think it affects vision. It just seems to be a manifestation of problems with oxygen delivery to the brain in early development.

The technician called back and he said that beyond an abnormal RPE, which is associated with myopia, he did not see any abnormalities. I guess with my history of psychosis at 14 I'd be an exception to that. In fact, for all mental illness, I'd be an exception, as it seems to be associated with some level of mental illness.

To be sure, when I see the ophthalmologist again next month I'll make sure to ask him and to specify more clearly what I'm saying.

This might shed some light on the OP:

http://www.rttnews.com/2129515/eye-inte ... he-iq.aspx

As I understand, psychosis is often associated with lower IQs and increased cognitive problems, so lower IQs and increased cognitive problems may be mediating the relationship found in the OP. I have average to above-average IQ, depending on what you measure, and some cognitive problems, but not enough to where I can't work or live independently, so that might explain why my retinal venules are within normal limits, if they are so indeed. People with higher IQs can develop psychosis, too, just not at the rate that those with lower IQs do.