What is hypertensive retinopathy?
About 1 in 3 adults in India have hypertension wherein the blood pressure is consistently above 140mmHg systolic and more than 90mmHg diastolic. Hypertensive patients are at risk of suffering from Hypertensive Retinopathy, Hypertensive Optic Neuropathy and Hypertensive Choroidopathy. When the blood pressure increases, the blood vessels of the retina undergo a spasm. When the hypertension is prolonged, the retina’s blood vessel walls may thicken, this causes the blood vessel to narrow. Both these situations can result in restricting of blood from reaching the retina and damaging the retina’s blood vessels and hence, limiting the retinal function. Also, Hypertension predisposes individuals to develop Retinal Artery and Retinal Vein Occlusion.
Hemorrhages in the retina may develop and also the blood reaching the nerve fibre layer is reduced leading to development of cotton wool spots. When the Optic nerve head develops ischemia ( reduced blood supply compromising the oxygen reach ) it becomes swollen and loses function leading to development of Hypertensive Optic Neuropathy.
Some of the symptoms of Hypertensive Retinopathy are:
- Reduced vision
- Eye pain
- Headaches
- Double vision accompanied by headaches
Causes of hypertensive retinopathy
Prolonged high blood pressure is the major reason for Hypertensive Retinopathy. Hypertension is a chronic problem and its risk factors are as follows:
- High salt diet
- Lack of proper exercise
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol
- Family history
- Ethnicity
- A stressful life
What is the treatment for Hypertensive Retinopathy?
Effective treatment of HR involves controlling and lowering High blood pressure with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
At Cosmos eye care we have a got a team of highly trained professionals who are engaged in ensuring that you get the right kind of treatment for Hypertensive Retinopathy.
For more details visit us at our clinic in Gurgaon, or call us on+91 – 9599229744 for booking an appointment.