Need to Know
- High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Doctors call this damage hypertensive retinopathy.
- Mild hypertensive retinopathy often causes no symptoms, so an eye doctor may find it during a routine eye exam. Severe cases may cause headaches or vision changes.
- Managing your blood pressure can help prevent further eye damage. Follow your treatment plan, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep up with your medical and eye exams.
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Along with causing heart and kidney problems, untreated high blood pressure can also affect your eyesight and lead to eye disease. Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images focus. This eye disease is known as hypertensive retinopathy. The damage can be serious if hypertension is not treated.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypertensive Retinopathy?
A person typically won't experience symptoms of mild to moderate hypertensive retinopathy; it is usually discovered during a routine eye exam. Symptoms of more severe and accelerated hypertension might include headaches and vision problems.
Severe retinopathy can occur alongside high blood pressure during pregnancy, so prenatal care is important.
How Is Hypertensive Retinopathy Diagnosed?
An eye care professional can diagnose hypertensive retinopathy. Using an ophthalmoscope, an instrument that projects light to examine the back of the eyeball, the doctor will look for signs of retinopathy that include:
- Narrowing of blood vessels
- Spots on the retina known as cotton wool spots and exudates
- Swelling of the macula (the central area of the retina) and optic nerve
- Bleeding in the back of the eye
How Is Hypertensive Retinopathy Treated?
The best way to treat hypertensive retinopathy is to adequately control your blood pressure.
Can Hypertensive Retinopathy Be Prevented?
To prevent hypertensive retinopathy, keep your blood pressure under control by reaching and maintaining your optimal weight, sticking with a diet recommended by your physician, exercising regularly, and faithfully taking your hypertension medications as prescribed. In addition, see your doctor on a regular basis for follow-up care.
