This condition is directly related to high blood pressure and diseased or factors that induce hypertension, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking.
What Is Hypertensive Retinopathy?
It is damage to the retina caused by high blood pressure. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that works like the film in a camera. The damaged retina affects clarity of vision.
What Are The Symptoms?
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- Vision changes: Dim vision, blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss
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- Headaches: Headaches can be associated with hypertensive retinopathy
- Other symptoms: Floaters, flashes of light, dizziness, eye swelling or pain, and a pulsing sensation in the eyes
Symptoms usually develop late in the disease, and most people don’t have symptoms until then. Sudden symptoms are a medical emergency and indicate very high blood pressure.
How Is It Treated?
The only treatment for hypertensive retinopathy is to control high blood pressure. Is the diseases that cause hypertension are incorrectly managed for too long, permanent damage to the eye may be incurred. In most cases, the retina will heal if blood pressure is controlled.
