Hypertensive retinopathy is damage to the back part of the eye (retina) caused by high blood pressure.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHigh blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels in the eyes. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it has been high, the more severe the damage is likely to be.
Your health care provider can see narrowing of blood vessels, and excess fluid oozing from blood vessels, with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The degree of retina damage (retinopathy) is graded on a scale of 1 to 4.
At grade 1, no symptoms may be present. Grade 4 hypertensive retinopathy includes swelling of the optic nerve and of the visual center of the retina (macula). Such swelling can cause decreased vision.
Other retinopathies that are known complications of high blood pressure are called:
Control of high blood pressure (hypertension) is the only treatment for hypertensive retinopathy.
Expectations (prognosis)Patients with grade 4 (severe hypertensive retinopathy) frequently also have heart and kidney complications of high blood pressure. The retina will generally recover well if the blood pressure is controlled, but some patients with grade 4 hypertensive retinopathy will have permanent damage to the optic nerve or macula.
ComplicationsGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have high blood pressure and vision changes or headaches occur.
PreventionControl of high blood pressure prevents changes in the blood vessels of the eye.
ReferencesKlig JE. Ophthalmologic complications of systemic disease.Emerg Med Clin North Am.2008;26(1):217-231.Hypertensive retinopathy is damage to theretina from high blood pressure. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back part of the eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.
See also: Diabetic retinopathy
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHigh blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it has been high, the more severe the damage is likely to be.
When you have Diabetes, high cholesterol levels, or you smoke, you have a higher risk of damage and vision loss.
Rarely, a condition called malignant hypertensiondevelops. Blood pressure readings suddenly become very high. Sometimes, the sudden rise in blood pressure can cause more severe changes in the eye.
Other problems with the retina are also more likely to occur, such as:
Most people with hypertensive retinopathy do not have symptoms until late in the disease.
Malignant hypertension may cause the following sudden symptoms, and should be considered a medical emergency:
Using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, your health care provider can see narrowing of blood vessels, and signs that fluid has leaked from blood vessels.
The degree of retina damage (retinopathy) is graded on a scale of 1 to 4:
Fluorescein angiography may be used to examine the blood vessels.
TreatmentControlling high blood pressure (hypertension) is the only treatment for hypertensive retinopathy.
See also: Malignant hypertension for treatment of this disorder
Expectations (prognosis)Patients with grade 4 (severe hypertensive retinopathy) often have heart and kidney complications of high blood pressure. They are also at higher risk for stroke.
The retina will generally recover if the blood pressure is controlled. However, some patients with grade 4 hypertensive retinopathy will have permanent damage to the optic nerve or macula.
ComplicationsGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have high blood pressure and vision changes or headaches occur.
PreventionControlling high blood pressure prevents changes in the blood vessels of the eye, as well as in other organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain.
ReferencesKovach JL, Schwartz SG, Schneider S, Rosen RB. Systemic hypertension and the eye. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2009:chap 13.
Klig JE. Ophthalmologic complications of systemic disease. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2008;26(1):217-231.
Rogers AH. Hypertensive retinopathy. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis mo: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 6.15.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/31/2010
Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
hypertensive retinopathy, in which blood vessels in the retina become damaged from increased blood pressure.
Xanthelasma, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy are all associated with heart disease. Roth's spots can be a sign of bacterial endocarditis.
In diabetic retinopathy, the retinopathy is the manifestation.
Nonproliferative retinopathy has a better prognosis than proliferative retinopathy. Prognosis depends upon the extent of the retinopathy, the cause, and promptness of treatment.
Retinopathy from diabetes eyesight recoverd
Retinopathy is accented on the third syllable.
The most common cause of pain or pressure behind the eye along with a minor nosebleed would be sinus pressure or a sinus infection. As always, it's best to see a doctor rather than try to self-diagnose.
No. However both ulcers and retinopathy are late manifestations of Diabetes Millitus.
Retinopathy Symptoms - What is Retinopathy?, Retinopathy ScreeningRetinopathy Symptoms caused due to diabetes can severely impair a person's vision. There are some early diabetic retinopathy symptoms, which if identified can help in the patient receiving timely treatment. These symptoms develop gradually as damage to the blood vessels present in the retina due to elevated blood sugar levels start affecting the vision of the patient. Retinopathy Symptoms of DiabeticThe most common diabetic retinopathy symptoms are:Unexpected changes in the visionPain and discomfort in the eyeBlurred visionDouble visionLoss of visionSeeing spotsEye floaters in the visionNight vision lossIf the condition is not detected or if it is neglected, long-term complications can include retinal detachment or blindnessWhat is retinopathy?Damage to the retina is known as retinopathy. In people with diabetes, retinopathy is primarily caused due to elevated blood sugar levels. High blood pressure can also be a cause for this condition.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye.
diabetic retinopathy is the completion
Retinologists do preform laser surgery for retinopathy depending on the extent of retinopathy. They preform this procedure to cauderize the breaking or broken blood vessels in hope that they don't break again.