High Blood Pressure Damages Your Eyes

• Vision
• 11 August, 2023
• BY Bajaj Eye Care Centre

The ideal blood pressure reading should be between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg, and anything above 140/90 mmHg is considered dangerous.

High blood pressure affects many organs in your body, including your heart, kidneys, and eyes. This is because your blood pushes harder than it should against your artery walls as it circulates throughout your body, causing damage to them as well as some of your organs.

High blood pressure is one of the most common medical conditions that can impair your vision. High blood pressure can cause a variety of problems in your eyes, some of which are irreversible. This is why your blood pressure is frequently taken during an eye exam. Regular eye exams benefit far more than just your eye health because the back of your eyes can reveal information about the health of your arteries and cholesterol levels.

High blood pressure causes which eye conditions?

High blood pressure can cause vision and eye problems. There are numerous small blood vessels in your eyes, and damage can occur when the vessels are subjected to the effects of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can harm your eyes in a variety of ways, but the most common are:

Hypertensive retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels at the back of the eye is the result of hypertensive retinopathy. When these blood vessels are damaged, they can cause bleeding in the eye, resulting in blurred vision and, in severe cases, total vision loss. There may also be retinal spots, macular swelling, or narrowing blood vessels that prevent blood flow to the retina.

Symptoms may include:

• Dim vision
• Double vision
• Headaches
• Vision loss

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is one of the most common eye conditions associated with high blood pressure. Fluid accumulates in the front of the eye in glaucoma patients, causing an increase in eye pressure. This can gradually damage the optic nerve and impair peripheral vision over time. Glaucoma can cause total blindness in severe cases if left untreated.

Symptoms may include:

• Eye pain
• Eye redness
• Blurred vision
• Colored halos around lights

Optic neuropathy: Optic neuropathy is nerve damage in the eye caused by a blockage in the flow of blood to the retina. This blockage kills nerve cells, resulting in vision loss and bleeding within the eye. This damage worsens over time, so early treatment is critical for preserving your vision. Of course, the best way to deal with this is to take preventative measures to keep your blood pressure at a healthy, low level.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Visual field loss
• Flashing lights
• Loss of color vision
• Vision loss in one eye

Eye stroke: A stroke can cut off blood flow to the eye. An eye stroke occurs when blood flow to the retina is reduced due to vessel constriction or a clot. There are various types of eye strokes based on which vein or artery in the retina is affected.

Symptoms may include:

• Floaters
• Blurry vision
• Sudden vision loss

Optic neuropathy: Hypertension can reduce blood flow to the optic nerve, causing damage to the cells in the eyes. It has the potential to cause permanent vision loss.

Symptoms may include:

• Eye pain
• Eye flashes
• Double vision

Choroidopathy: It is a condition in which fluid accumulates beneath the retina of the eye. Scarring can result, interfering with clear vision.

Symptoms may include:

• A central vision blind spot
• Objects may appear to be smaller

When should you go to the doctor?

If you notice any changes in your vision, especially if you suddenly experience dimming vision, double vision, or loss of vision, you should always consult your optician. You should also seek medical attention if you start having headaches. These are all symptoms of extremely high blood pressure and must be treated immediately to preserve your vision. Aside from that, it’s a good idea to see your optician, preferably every year, to monitor your eye health and detect any potential vision issues for treatment before they become more serious.

Why should you visit Bajaj Eye Care Centre?

Dr. Rajiv Bajaj at Bajaj Eye Care Centre in Delhi treats all eye conditions while providing his patients with the highest level of comfort and care. Make an appointment with him to discuss how you can better manage your low vision. When determining your treatment options and assisting you in selecting the best one for you, he always takes the time to thoroughly understand your health and lifestyle.