When you have high blood pressure, you may also have hypertensive retinopathy. This condition impacts the blood vessels in the retina. The retina is sensitive to light. When you have high blood pressure, it can cause the blood vessel walls of the retina to be thick and damaged. This damage changes the blood vessels and impacts blood flow to the retina. If you notice any changes to your vision and live in the Houston, TX, area, visit the optometrist at Executive Eye Care.
Causes of Hypertensive Retinopathy?
Hypertensive retinopathy is typically caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure and causes damage to the retina's blood vessels. When blood pressure is elevated for an extended period, it causes damage to the retina, which may cause vision problems. There are other risk factors for developing hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy.
These risk factors include age. As you age, your risk of developing this condition increases. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, this causes your chance to improve. If you smoke, are inactive, have a poor diet, or consume too much alcohol, your risk increases. Other health conditions, including diabetes, sleep apnea, and kidney disease, can also increase your risk.
What Are the Symptoms?
You may notice symptoms such as blurry vision, floaters, or bleeding in your retina. You may also have symptoms like small amounts of fatty material in your retina. You may also lose part of your visual field.
Can Hypertensive Retinopathy Be Treated?
The good news is that we can treat this condition. One of the best ways to control high blood pressure is to treat the underlying cause. This control may mean medication or lifestyle changes. In addition, it would be best to have regular eye exams as part of your eye care. If you have a severe case, you may require surgery. Regular visits to the eye doctor can help you with your care.
Why Choose Executive Eye Care?
At Executive Eye Care, we focus on comprehensive vision care. Even if you aren’t having vision problems, we recommend eye exams annually. The entire staff is committed to providing you with the highest-quality care in a stress-free environment. While here, we will measure your eyes and monitor for any changes to catch potential problems early. Your vision is essential, and we want to be integral to your eye care. Contact us today at (713) 225-2600 to schedule an appointment.
