hypertensive retinopathy

hypertensive retinopathy

Hypertensive retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by high blood pressure (hypertension).
This disease occurs when blood pressure is very high (eg in malignant hypertension and toxemia gravidarum).

Hypertension can cause damage to blood vessels inside the eye.
The higher and longer hypertension lasts, the more severe the damage.

Severity of retinal damage (retinopathy) is depicted by the scale of I to IV.
On the degree I normally do not find the symptoms.
On the degree of optic nerve swelling IV (called papilledema) and macular (central vision in the retina), which can lead to decreased visual function.

In later stages, blood can seep into the retina.
Patches of retinal damage due to lack of blood supply and eventually the fat will accumulate in the retina.

In addition to visual impairment, the patient also could feel a headache.

By using the ophthalmoscope, we can see the narrowing of blood vessels and excess fluid oozing from blood vessels.
Other tests commonly performed are the fluorescence angiography.

The only treatment for hypertensive retinopathy is to control blood pressure.