How Hypertension Affects Your Eyes

If you have uncontrolled hypertension, this could cause changes in your vision. You could experience symptoms such as double vision, dim vision, or even vision loss. This is due to damage caused to the retina in the back of your eye. If you suspect you have high blood pressure, a visit to your eye doctor in Pittsburgh is recommended.

What Is Hypertensive Retinopathy? 

Hypertensive retinopathy is an eye disease that damages the retina because blood pressure inside the blood vessels is too high. If high blood pressure is not controlled, it may eventually damage the optic nerve and the macula as well, causing irreversible vision loss.

Often, it’s your eye doctor who’s the first to suspect chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes because of the changes they make to your eyes. This is one reason why it’s so important to keep regular appointments with your vision specialist at least once a year, or more often, if you suspect your vision is changing.

What Does Chronic, Uncontrolled Hypertension Do to Your Eyes? 

Uncontrolled high blood pressure may cause the tiny blood vessels that deliver blood to the retina to constrict. This limits the blood flow and may cause the retina to swell. If left untreated, this condition may cause lesions, called cotton-wool spots, to form on the retina. It may also cause a host of other problems that include retinal hemorrhage, microaneurysm, or retinal edema. Eventually, over time, it may cause damage to your optic nerve or your macula, too.

An early diagnosis and treatment plan is key to preventing vision loss from chronic high blood pressure.

Help for Hypertensive Retinopathy in Pittsburgh, PA

If you have chronic, uncontrolled hypertension in Pittsburgh or the surrounding area, partner with your primary care physician to begin treatment. Next, make an appointment with Lappen Eye Care in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, or McMurry today.