Hypertensive Retinopathy is the eye condition seen in patients with high blood pressure (Hypertension). These changes are seen on the retina.
Follow this link to know – What is Retina???
Hypertension is a risk factor for many other diseases in the body. Which sometimes are serious. Long-term high blood pressure may lead to blood vessel changes. These changes, if they happen can easily be seen in the eyes by an ophthalmologist.
What is the significance of these eye changes?
The mild to moderate changes in the eyes are shown to be associated with changes in the heart (coronary artery disease), brain (stroke), and kidneys (renal dysfunction).*
What happens in the eye if left undetected?
Can lead to vision loss due to blood vessel occlusion in the eye for which hypertension is a major risk factor.
When should you get your eyes checked for hypertensive retinopathy?
Ideally, everyone over the age of 40 years needs to get a complete eye check-up done annually or biannually. For hypertensive retinopathy, the eyes have to be checked out as soon as the diagnosis of Hypertension is made.
*(Tsukikawa and Stacey, 2020)