How High Blood Pressure Affects Your Vision
Since one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure (HBP), you likely know that this condition, also known as hypertension, can damage your heart and kidneys. But HBP can also harm your eyes.
When blood pushes against artery walls in the eye, the very small and delicate blood vessels can be damaged. HBP can cause bleeding in the eye, fluid buildup under the retina or a blood flow blockage to the optic nerve. These conditions may lead to blurred or distorted vision, or even a complete loss of vision. If you have both diabetes and high blood pressure, you’re at an even greater risk.
If you needed one more reason to remember to schedule a thorough exam with your optometrist, this is it: Many people have HBP but don’t know it. Our equipment at Insight Eyecare enables me to look at the network of tiny capillaries on the retina to evaluate the condition of the blood vessels in the eyes. My examination might lead to your first diagnosis of hypertension.
The effects of HBP are cumulative, so the longer it goes untreated, the higher the likelihood of permanent damage.
But you don’t have to wait for your next appointment to get a handle on your blood pressure. Most pharmacies have machines that will give you an idea of your blood pressure numbers. The systolic, or top, number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The diastolic, or bottom, number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart is resting and refilling with blood).
- Normal: top number under 120, bottom under 80
- Prehypertension: top 120-139, bottom 80-90
- Stage 1 hypertension: top 140-159, bottom 90-99
- Stage 2 hypertension: top 160+, bottom 100+
- Hypertensive crisis (emergency care needed!): top 180+, bottom 110+
If your blood pressure climbs above normal, talk to your physician. HBP can be managed with prescription medication and lifestyle changes.
Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
iCare for you.