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Eye symptoms of high blood pressure
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High blood pressure (
Hypertension ) can eventually cause blood arteries in the eye to burst or bleed. Vision ( Eye Sight
] may become blurred or otherwise impaired and can result in blindness.In addition to causing heart
and kidney disterbances, untreated hypertension can also affect your eyesight. High Blood Pressure
can cause damage to the blood arteries in the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images
focus. This condition is known as hypertensive retinopathy. The damage can be serious if high blood
pressure is not treated
Blood in the eye may be caused
by a broken blood artery in the thin, transparent tissue that covers the outer surface of the
eye. This is called the conjunctiva, and it is nourished by tiny blood arteries that are nearly
invisible to the naked eye. When one of these blood arteries breaks, it bleeds into the eye and
is called subconjunctival hemorrhage. This kind of bleeding can be caused by heavy lifting,
vomiting, coughing. Subconjunctival hemorrhage is more common in people with high blood pressure
( Hypertension ) diabetes, but neither condition causes it.
While having blood in your eye
may look scaring, this type of bleeding is essentially harmless. The blood becomes trapped
underneath the conjunctiva, much like a bruise, and is visible because the conjunctiva is clear.
The blood naturally absorbs within one to three weeks and generally does not require
treatment.
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Some Common Eye symptoms of high blood
pressure
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Symptoms include:
Headaches
Vision ( Eye Sight ] disterbances
How Is Hypertensive
Retinopathy Diagnosed? An eye care doctor can diagnose hypertensive retinopathy. The ophthalmologist
will use an ophthalmoscope, an instrument that projects light, to examine the back of your
eyeball.
What are common Signs of retinopathy
include: Narrowing of
blood arteries
Fluid oozing from the blood arteries
Spots on the retina known as cotton wool spots and hard
exudates
Swelling of the macula and optic nerve
Bleeding in the back of the eye
Doctor can also use a test called fluorescein angiography to diagnose
retinopathy. With this method, a dye is injected into your vein. When the dye reaches your eye, the
doctor takes photographs of the retina to evaluate the circulation to determine if there is any
blockage or leakage.
How Is Hypertensive
Retinopathy Treated? The only way to treat
hypertensive retinopathy is to have your doctor diagnose and treat the high blood
pressure.
Can Hypertensive
Retinopathy Be Prevented? To prevent
hypertensive retinopathy, keep your high blood pressure in control by changing your diet,
exercising more, and taking your high blood pressure ( Hypertension ) drugs regularly. In
addition, have regular follow ups to your consultant doctor.
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