What is hypertensive retinopathy?
Hypertensive retinopathy is the medical name for damage to the retina from high blood pressure. The retina in your eye is like the film inside a camera. The retina “takes the picture” of objects you look at and sends the message to the brain. The retina is a living tissue, which requires blood supplied by tiny vessels. Normally, these blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients, but do not leak fluid into the retina.
How does blood pressure damage the retina?
High blood pressure puts stress on the walls of blood vessels. In the short-term, high blood pressure weakens the inner lining (endothelium) of the retinal blood vessels causing them to leak serum or blood into the retina. In the long-term high blood pressure may cause permanent blood vessel damage (hardening) leading to retinal vein occlusion or arteriolar macroaneurym.
What are the symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy?
Symptoms may occur early or late in the course of hypertensive retinopathy. Blurring of vision may occur if excess fluid (edema) leaks into the retina. Rarely, blind spots or sudden new floaters may occur. Damage to the retina may occur without symptoms.
What treatment is available?
The key to treating hypertensive retinopathy is to control blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure is associated with lower risk of loss of vision. If complications occur, laser or injections (Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea, Triesence, Ozurdex) may improve the vision by sealing leaky blood vessels. There may be some permanent damage to the retina from high blood pressure. Your doctor is going to order appropriate tests and recommend the best course of action to take at this time. See your internist to keep your blood pressure under good control.
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