Hypertensive Retinopathy

Hypertensive retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by high blood pressure, which in severe cases can affect vision.

Common symptoms

Often none in early stages, but with severe high blood pressure there may be blurred vision, double vision, headaches, and in the most serious cases sudden loss of vision.

Description

Sustained high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels throughout the body, including those at the back of the eye. Changes to the retinal arteries, small haemorrhages, and fluid leaking into the retina can all be seen during an eye examination.

Mild hypertensive retinopathy usually causes no symptoms and is often picked up incidentally during routine eye checks. More severe and rapidly rising blood pressure, known as malignant or accelerated hypertension, can cause swelling of the optic nerve and sudden changes in vision, and is a medical emergency.

The main treatment is good control of blood pressure with medication and lifestyle changes, working closely with the GP. Regular eye checks help detect problems early, and coexisting eye conditions such as vein occlusions or diabetic retinopathy are managed in their own right.