Along with causing heart and kidney problems, untreated
high blood pressure can also affect your eyesight and lead to eye disease.
Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images focus. This eye disease is known as hypertensive retinopathy.
Hypertensive retinopathy is retinal vascular damage caused by hypertension. Signs usually develop late in the disease. Funduscopic examination shows arteriolar constriction, arteriovenous nicking, vascular wall changes, flame-shaped hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, yellow hard exudates, and optic disk edema. Treatment is directed at controlling BP and, when
vision loss occurs, treating the retina.
If vision loss occurs, treatment of the
retinal edema with laser or with intravitreal injection of
corticosteroids or antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs (eg, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, bevacizumab) may be useful.
NOTE:
IMMEDIATELY YOU HAVE TO CONSULT YOUR GENERAL PHYSICIAN AS WELL AS YOUR EYE SPECIALIST. DO NOT IGNORE ABOUT IT. AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE YOU CONSULT YOUR DOCTORS.