Is High Blood Pressure Effecting Your Vision?
- Posted on: Jul 15 2022
Have you noticed significant changes in your vision lately? There is a little-known culprit that may be responsible. The changes in your eyesight may signal that you need to take action quickly.
Your blood pressure is a sign of how well blood and oxygen get moved throughout your body. When your blood pressure is too high, you can experience dangerous side effects if it goes unchecked.
Believe it or not, high blood pressure can ruin your eyesight. However, there are several steps you can take to care for your blood pressure and maintain your eye health.
How are Eye Health and High Blood Pressure Connected?
Your body contains blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients where they need to go. However, sometimes due to diet, stress, or genetics, blood flow is compromised. Our heart must work harder to pump blood, resulting in high blood pressure.
High blood pressure affects your blood vessels, including in your eyes. The blood vessels in the retina can suffer damage because of uncontrolled blood pressure. When this happens, eyesight is affected and can lead to eye disease.
What is Hypertensive Retinopathy?
Hypertensive Retinopathy is retinal damage from high blood pressure, and its symptoms include:
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Vision loss if left untreated
Also, Hypertensive Retinopathy can lead to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
How is it diagnosed?
Your ophthalmologist can diagnose Hypertensive Retinopathy by using an ophthalmoscope to check for retina damage. Another method of diagnosis is a test known as fluorescein angiography.
This test involves an injection of fluorescein dye to help get images of the eye and how blood flow to the retina is performing.
Can It Be Reversed?
Reversing Hypertensive Retinopathy depends on the severity of your case. Well-manged Hypertensive Retinopathy can eventually heal over time and generally has a good prognosis.
How Is It Treated?
Lifestyle changes play a critical role in treating Hypertensive Retinopathy. The key issue is to lower blood pressure to healthy levels.
You can help lower your blood pressure by:
- Having a healthy diet
- Getting exercise
- Managing stress
- And quitting smoking
Have you been experiencing issues with your vision and want to learn more about Hypertensive Retinopathy? Call our Everett Office today at (425) 259-2020.
Posted in: Eye Care
