Hypertensive Retinopathy
Hypertensive optic neuropathy, specifically, presents as optic disk swelling.
Hypertensive Retinopathy
What is Hypertensive Retinopathy?
When blood vessels in the retina are damaged as a result of systemic hypertension, vision loss occurs (i.e. high blood pressure). Hypertensive retinopathy patients typically exhibit no visual symptoms until severe vision loss has already occurred. A lot of times, they’ll say they’re experiencing blurry vision or a headache. Choroidal circulation damage and ocular and cranial neuropathies are both attributable to hypertension. Subconjunctival haemorrhages are another possible manifestation of hypertension.
Stages of Hypertensive Retinopathy
Stage 0: The patient has been diagnosed with Hypertension. There are no visible retinal vascular abnormalities.
Stage 1: In this hypertensive retinopathy stage, diffuse arteriolar narrowing is seen, especially in the smaller vessels. Arteriolar calibre is uniform, with no focal constriction.
Stage 2: Arteriolar narrowing is more pronounced, and there can be focal areas of arteriolar constriction.
Stage 3: Focal and diffuse arteriolar narrowing is more obvious, and severe Retinal haemorrhages may be present.
Stage 4: In this last hypertensive retinopathy stage, all the previously listed abnormalities may be present, along with retinal oedema, hard exudates, and optic disc oedema.
An Insight into Hypertensive Retinopathy Treatment
In hypertensive Retinopathy, it is imperative to understand that the only way to treat or control it is by keeping high blood pressure in check. This can be achieved by bringing drastic changes in daily lifestyles like:
- Practising yoga and regular exercise
- Quitting habits like smoking and reducing alcohol intake
- Losing weight and bringing dietary changes.
As mentioned above, symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy stages can be controlled by bringing healthy and positive life changes. In addition, if you want to take allopathy treatment, it is best to get in touch with a doctor who might suggest medications like calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs), ACE inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, and more to lower your high blood pressure levels.
In addition, with other effects, all these medications can also help the retina to heal while ensuring that no further damage takes place. While prescribing the required medication under hypertensive retinopathy treatment, the doctor will also consider the patient’s medical history while taking all the possible side effects into consideration.
A Glimpse into Hypertensive Retinopathy Complications
Patients of hypertensive Retinopathy are vulnerable to several health-related complications like:
Retinal artery occlusion: This takes place when an artery in the retina of the eye gets closed or blocked due to clots that often result in vision loss.
Malignant Hypertension: This leads to a rapid spike in blood pressure which can cause vision loss. However, this is a rare occurrence that, in many cases, can be life-threatening.
Retinal vein occlusion: This condition takes place when a vein in the retina gets blocked because of clots.
Ischemic optic neuropathy: In this scenario, the normal blood flow that goes to the eye gets blocked, which damages the optic nerve of the eye. It is this part that transmits multiple images to the brain.
Other presentations of Hypertension besides Retinopathy
Hypertension does not only cause Retinopathy but is also associated with several other types of manifestation like Branch Retinal vein/artery occlusion, Central Retinal vein/artery occlusion, Optic disc edema and Macular star in severe Hypertension, particularly in young Hypertensives, Pregnant females with malignant Hypertension called as Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia. The latter two may also develop Exudative Retinal Detachment.
Treatment for Hypertensive Retinopathy is to control your blood pressure.
Get Your blood pressure checked regularly.
Get baseline Eye / Retina examination once you get detected with Hypertension
Do not skip your hypertensive medicines without consulting your primary physician
Have a balanced diet to control Blood pressure
If you are facing any of the above mentioned, it is always safe to see a doctor in order to prevent further complications. Cataract surgery is not the only option. We will help you sort it out.
Cataract Surgery: Cataract Surgery is recommended by your doctor when it hinders in moving about your daily activities, like reading or driving. It is also carried out when cataract meddles with the treatment of other eye problems.
Phacoemulsification is a type of cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification includes the use of ultrasound waves to break the lens and remove the pieces.
Extracapsular surgery is another type of cataract surgery. Extracapsular surgery includes removing the cloudy part of the lens by a long incision in the cornea. After the surgery, an artificial intraocular lens is installed where the natural lens was.
Cataract Surgery to remove it is usually very safe and also has a high success rate. Most people are allowed to go home the same day as their surgery. Don’t worry you are in safe hands.
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