Hypertension or high blood pressure is very common, given the lifestyle we lead today.
An occasional rise in the blood pressure levels is no cause for worry, but a sustained elevation in the blood pressure is worrisome. Elevated blood pressure leads to a variety of complications, stroke and myocardial infarction being the most common ones.
High blood pressure, like diabetes, also leads to end-organ damage in the long run. It affects all parts of the body, eyes and kidneys being most commonly affected. Longstanding high blood pressure damages eyes, leading to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy.
Hypertensive retinopathy is a debilitating disorder that can be avoided simply by keeping the blood pressure under control!
How does hypertension affect the eyes?
When the pressure flowing through the arteries remains high for a long time, the arteries harden. Through these hardened arteries, the amount of blood flowing gradually decreases leading to the undernourishment and eventual death of the tissues supplied by those vessels. This is what happens in the eyes too.
The blood supply to the retina is gradually reduced due to hardening of the arteries. To compensate, new arteries grow. These new arteries are malformed and end up leaking blood and fluid into the retina. Depending on the extent of damage, symptoms appear.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Clinically, most of the patients do not show any symptoms. Occasionally, blurred vision and headache may be complained of. Eye changes due to hypertension are usually seen during a regular ophthalmic examination. A detailed clinical history and a physical examination also aids in diagnosing the condition.
How can hypertensive retinopathy be prevented or cured?
Prevention is the only way to cure hypertensive retinopathy. Keeping the blood pressure under control by lifestyle changes, proper food habits, regular medications, and regular exercises help to postpone the development of end-organ damages and also help in reversing the damage that may have been caused.
