Eye Damage due to High Blood Pressure (Hypertensive Retinopathy)

What is hypertensive retinopathy?

High blood pressure can cause damage to the retina of the eye.

The retina is the layer of cells in the back of the eye that senses the light that enters the eye. The retina has an extensive network of small blood vessels (the pattern of which are the basis for retinal scans, which are now being instituted for security and identification purposes).

If blood pressure remains high, then the pressure starts to damage the retinal blood vessels. The blood vessels can leak, swell and thicken. There may also be some edema (fluid retention) in the eye.

Symptoms are usually not obvious until there is severe damage

Generally, until there is severe damage, it is not detectable to the person that has eye damage due to high blood pressure is happening. Only when there is major damage will there be an obvious reduction in vision and sometimes headaches.

Regular eye examinations are important if you have high blood pressure

Eye examinations can easily find evidence of damage at early stages, both being able to see the signs of damage and pick up subtle losses of vision capabilities.

Therefore, particularly if blood pressure is elevated, regular eye examinations are important. Once there is any loss of vision, it is permanent.