Eye Care For Patients With High Blood Pressure

What is hypertensive retinopathy? 

Hypertensive retinopathy is a disease in which high blood pressure causes damage to the back of the eye (retina). High blood pressure causes a disruption to normal blood flow of the retina. The raised blood pressure causes blood vessels to tighten and limit how much blood flows through to the retina. A lack of proper blood flow can damage the retina and can lead to vision loss and other eye related issues. 

What are the symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy? 

If you have hypertension you may not notice symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy in its early stages. Most people don't have symptoms until the later stages. These symptoms can include headaches, double vision, vision loss or low dim vision. If you are diagnosed with hypertension it is important to schedule an appointment with an eye care specialist. 

How often should someone who is diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy see an eye care specialist? 

It is recommended that you see an eye care specialist annually for a complete eye exam. If your eye care specialist has any concerns they may see you semi-annually or quarterly depending on the health of your eyes and stage of hypertensive retinopathy you have.  They do this by dilating your eyes to look for blood vessels that are narrowing or leaking fluid. It is also recommended that you see a healthcare provider annually. Scheduling regular checkups can help catch problems before they become very serious.

What are the treatment options 

If you are diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy there is a chance that you may not experience any vision loss. However if you are diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy you may experience vision loss along with other complications that need treatment. There are several ways to go about managing high blood pressure such as consuming a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol. The DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet are known to help reduce blood pressure when followed correctly. Exercising for at least 30 minutes at a day with moderate intensity can help reduce hypertension by 5-8 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). It is also recommended to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake to improve high blood pressure. With proper blood pressure management hypertensive retinopathy may improve. 

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