The eyes are among the most important organs in the body, playing a critical role in our perception of the world and quality of life. That’s why your eye doctor urges you to take good care of your eyes. However, even for those who take precautions, hypertensive retinopathy remains a risk.
In this post, Alderwood Optical and Canyon Park Vision Clinic discusses hypertensive retinopathy and how it can affect your vision.
What Is Hypertensive Retinopathy?
Hypertensive retinopathy involves retinal vascular damage that’s caused by hypertension. It’s almost impossible to detect hypertensive retinopathy in its early stages as symptoms usually develop once the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Symptoms usually involve permanent arterial narrowing, arteriovenous nicking, copper or silver wire arterioles, flame-shaped hemorrhages, cotton wool spots, optic disk edema, yellow hard exudates, eye pain, headaches and reduced visual acuity.
Risk factors for this disease include having a diet high in sodium, obesity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, family history, stress and elevated blood pressure. If you have any of these symptoms or suspect that you might, contact your eye doctor immediately or visit Alderwood Optical and Canyon Park Vision Clinic to set up an appointment and have your vision checked as soon as possible.
How It Affects Your Eyes
Due to the lack of blood flow, hypertensive retinopathy leads to blurred vision or complete loss of sight. To prevent hypertensive retinopathy, you must reduce your systemic blood pressure or control hypertension, either through the help of drugs or by natural means. However, if vision loss occurs, treating the retinal edema with a laser or injection of various drugs such as corticosteroids may resolve the problem.
Turn to your eye doctor at Alderwood Optical and Canyon Park Vision Clinic for your optical care needs. We are your number one provider of eyeglasses, contact lenses and eye exam services. Give us a call at (425) 771-8472 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve clients in Redmond, Kirkland and other areas in WA.