What is hypertensive retinopathy?
hypertensive retinopathy occurs when blood vessels in the tissue on the back of the eye - retina - are damaged due to high blood pressure. The retina focuses the image that one sees. Retinal damage usually becomes more serious, as hypertension deteriorates or prolonged. If one experiences malignant hypertension, a sudden increase in blood pressure to a hypertensive level, it may suffer from a more serious version of the condition.
Retinal damage caused by hypertensive retinopathy is rated on a scale of 1 to 4. Symptoms in grade 1 can hardly be seen or felt. Damage in blood vessels and other parts of the retina may occur in grades 2 and 3, while in degree 4 the swelling of the optical nerve may be blurred and vision may be blurred. A person who is experiencing headaches with blurred or double vision should be immediately brought to the hospital for urgent treatment.
In the diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy, ophthalmologist can also perform ophthalmoscopy, also known as fondoscopy. Progress pIt uses an ophthalmoscope, a device that allows doctors to see different parts of the rear of the eye, including blood vessels, optical nerve and retina. This tool usually allows an ophthalmologist to determine whether there are signs, that the fluid has begun to escape from the blood vessel or whether the blood vessel will be narrowed.
fluorescein angiography, also known as eye angiography or retina, can also be used in the diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy. It uses a camera and a special dye to allow the doctor to photograph an eye for analysis. This allows an ophthalmologist to confirm his diagnosis or verify the results of treatment. The eye test checks whether blood flows normally in the choroid and retina.
Treatment of hypertensive retinaline focuses to a large extent on the treatment of the basic cause: high blood pressure. If the patient has not been officially diagnosed with hypertension, he should see a doctor who would help to control the condition. It is important that the patient regularly take maintenance medicines if he is diagnosed with hypeRtension that helps maintain normal blood pressure. The patient may also want to regularly visit eye physicians to maintain good health of his eyes.