Hypertensive Retinopathy

What is Hypertensive Retinopathy?

Retinopathy caused by the actions of systemic high blood pressure are called hypertensive retinopathy.

• Blurred vision

• Headache

• Constricted and tortuous arterioles

• Retinal hemorrhage

• Hard exudates

• Cotton wool spots

• Retinal edema

• Optic nerve edema

Risk factors for essential hypertension include high salt diet, obesity, tobacco use, alcohol, family history, stress, and ethnic background. The major risk for arteriosclerotic hypertensive retinopathy is the duration of elevated blood pressure.

Treatment for Hypertensive Retinopathy

The treatment for hypertensive retinopathy is to reduce the systemic blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg. This can be accomplished by any of the armamentarium of medical treatments for hypertension. Medical treatment can only treat the acute changes of hypertension from vasospasm and vascular leakage. There is no treatment for arteriosclerotic changes of chronic hypertension.