12/06/2020
High Blood Pressure and Vision Problems
High blood pressure, which is defined as a systolic blood pressure equal to or above 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure equal to or above 90 mmHg, can cause extensive and complex changes in the body's arteries. Since the retina is the only organ that its arteries are directly visible, high blood pressure can be detected through retinal arteries; before its complications appear in other parts of the body. So don't be surprised if your ophthalmologist during an eye examination diagnoses that you have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, especially chronic hypertension, can lead to a gradual narrowing of the retinal arteries, which may not be very detectable in its early stages, but gradually worsens as the disease progresses and causes hardening and thickening of the arteries.
In the later stages, small amount of hemorrhage may occur in the retina, and materials from the arteries may leak into the retina which appear as white spots on the retina.
In extremely high blood pressure, in addition to the above complications, swelling of the optic nerve may also occur. It should be noted that high blood pressure is so dangerous that it can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and should be controlled and treated immediately. Of course, none of the high blood pressure’s complications can cause significant changes in the person's vision; In addition, with proper treatment of high blood pressure, these complications gradually resolve and the retina returns to its normal condition.
However, that none of these blood pressure changes significantly affect a person's vision; In addition, with proper treatment of high blood pressure, these changes gradually return to normal and the retina becomes normal. Retinal examinations are a good way to assess proper blood pressure control.
These changes may not initially affect a person's vision.
