HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY (Effects of Hypertension in the Human Eye)

 The retina is the light sensitive layer located in the back of your eye. This layer transforms light into nerve signals that are then sent to the brain for interpretation. Uncontrolled and Prolonged High Blood Pressure can affect this layer.

Apart from causing heart and kidney problems, uncontrolled prolonged high blood pressure can also affect your eyesight and lead to eye disease. High Blood Pressure can cause damage to the tiny, delicate blood vessels that supply blood to the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images focus. This eye disease is known as HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY. Damage to the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye (retina) can lead to bleeding in the eye, blurred vision and complete loss of vision.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

You won’t probably experience any symptoms until the eye disease has progressed extensively. it is usually discovered during a routine eye exam.

However, Possible signs and symptoms include:

• Blurred Vision

• Reduced Vision

• Double Vision accompanied by headache

• Visual disturbances or sudden vision loss.

• Bursting of a blood vessel

Get medical help immediately if your blood pressure is high and you suddenly have changes in your vision.

WHAT CAUSES HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY?

Uncontrolled/Prolonged High Blood Pressure is the main cause of Hypertensive Retinopathy.

RISK FACTORS OF HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

The following conditions can put you at a higher risk for Hypertensive Retinopathy;

• Uncontrolled prolonged High Blood Pressure

 • Atherosclerosis

• Heart disease

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Overweight

• High blood cholesterol

• Unhealthy diet and Lifestyle

• Heavy alcohol consumption

People with Hypentensive Retinopathy are also at an increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE HYPENTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

i. Ophthalmoscope: An eye doctor can diagnose hypertensive retinopathy by the help of an instrument called an ophthalmoscope that projects light to examine the inside of the eyeball. This instrument shines a light through your pupil to examine the back of your eye for the following signs; 

• 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

• Leaking of fluids from blood vessels

This procedure is painless. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

ii. Fluorescein Angiography: This can be performed to examine the flow of blood in the retina. In this procedure, your doctor will apply a special eye drop to dilate your pupils and then take pictures of your eye. After taking the first pictures, your eye doctor will inject a dye called fluorescein into a vein on the inside of the elbow. Then further pictures will be taken as the dye moves into the blood vessels of your eye.

CLASSIFICATION OF HYPENTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

Hypertensive Retinopathy is generally represented on a scale of 1 to 4 depending on the extent and severity. The 4 grades increase in severity:

• Grade 1: There’s a mild narrowing of the retinal artery.

• Grade 2: There’s everything in grade 1, together with more severe constrictions of the retinal artery. This is called arteriovenous nipping.

• Grade 3: This has the signs of grade 2, including retinal edema, microaneurysms (a tiny area of blood protruding from an artery or vein in the back of the eye), cotton-wool spots (fluffy white lesions on the retina), and retinal hemorrhages (bleeding).

• Grade 4: This has severe signs of grade 3 along with papilledema (optic disc swelling), and macular edema. 

 In people with grade 4, there’s however a higher risk for stroke, kidney disease, or heart disease.

TREATMENT FOR HYPENTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

Effective treatment for Hypertensive Retinopathy involves controlling and lowering high blood pressure with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.

ii. Lifestyle Changes

• Regular physical activity

• Intake of diet high in colored fruits and green leafy vegetables may help lower blood pressure.

ii. Lifestyle Changes

• Regular physical activity

• Intake of diet high in colored fruits and green leafy vegetables may help lower blood pressure.

• Limiting the amount of alchohol, and beverages you drink.

• Reducing salt intake.

• If you smoke, take steps to quit.

• Weight Loss for overweight individuals.

Hypertensive Retinopathy can be controlled if your Blood Pressure is controlled.

If your condition is severe, however, you may have irreversible eye damage that causes permanent vision problems.

Your primary care doctor and eye doctor can work together to monitor your condition, and help prevent stroke and permanent blindness.

TIPS TO PREVENT HYPENTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

• Take intentional steps to avoid high blood pressure:

• Take your blood pressure medication regularly.

• Get regular exercise.

• Eat a balanced diet.

• Avoid smoking.

• Get regular medical exams to ensure that your blood pressure readings are normal.