Hypertension is a vascular condition that involves abnormally high blood pressure levels. This can cause various health problems, including hypertensive retinopathy, a condition that affects the eyes. In today’s post, your expert optical care specialist from Alderwood Optical and Canyon Park Vision Clinic sheds light on this condition.
The Impact of High Blood Pressure on Your Eyesight
The retina, which is composed of light-sensitive cells, lines the back part of your eyes. Its primary function is to convert light rays into nerve signals, which the optic nerve then transmits to the brain for interpretation. When you have high blood pressure, however, the blood vessels in your retina can become abnormally thick. This may impede the blood flow to your eyes, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to your retina. As a result, your retina may be unable to function properly, impairing the image translation process.
Typical Signs and Symptoms
Your eye doctor explains that you may not notice any changes in your eyesight at first. As the condition progresses, however, you may experience blurry, distorted, or double vision. If your hypertension is left unmanaged, you may also experience difficulties seeing in dark places. Frequent headaches, nausea, and vomiting are common too. If your blood pressure remains uncontrolled, the condition could lead to irreversible vision loss.
Our Recommended Management
When it comes to managing hypertensive retinopathy, our primary goal is to control your blood pressure. This is why we emphasize the importance of following your doctor’s advice about diet and lifestyle modifications. We also recommend taking your prescribed anti-hypertensive medications on time and being diligent about monitoring your blood pressure at proper intervals.
Your reliable optometrist also recommends having regular comprehensive eye exams, especially if you or any of your relatives suffer from hypertension. Since hypertensive retinopathy can be asymptomatic at first, comprehensive eye exams are the best way to ensure we diagnose the condition before it progresses. The earlier we identify this condition, the sooner we can manage it and halt its progression.
If you have any further questions about hypertensive retinopathy, call us at (425) 771-8472 for Alderwood Optical or (425) 485-0430 for Canyon Park Vision Clinic. We serve Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville WA etc areas