On World Hypertension Day, Dr. Soham Basak, Consultant, Cornea Department of Disha Eye Hospitals throws light on the impact of Hypertension on the Human Eyes and the imperative steps to deal with this problem.

1. Hypertensive retinopathy- uncontrolled high blood pressure over a long time can cause changes in the blood vessels supplying the retina or the delicate screen at the back of our eyes. The vessel damage can lead to fluid leakage and causes edema of the retinal tissues and sometimes small hemorrhages. This can lead to blurred vision.

2. Retinal vein and artery occlusion- commonly referred to as stroke of the retina. Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors leading to these conditions. In retinal vein occlusion there is a rupture of the retinal blood vessels leading to blood collection in the retina, whereas in retinal artery occlusion, the retina is damaged due to diminished blood circulation. Both need urgent treatment – retinal injections, lasers, and even surgery in rare situations.

3. Ischemic optic neuropathy– the nerve connecting the eye to the brain is affected in this condition. High blood pressure can lead to reduced blood flow to this nerve leading to irreversible vision loss.

4. Hypertension is also responsible for the onset and worsening of diabetic eye disease.

5. Subconjunctival hemorrhage- sudden changes in blood pressure can cause the delicate vessels of the white of the eye to rupture and leak blood in the surrounding area. This can cause bright redness of the eyes which is often alarming, but this is a relatively harmless and self-resolving condition. The redness resolves within 2 to 4 weeks with little to no treatment.

6. Lastly, hypertension is also a risk factor in the progression of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (weakening of the retinal cells due to old age). These are again due to the effect high blood pressure has on altering blood flow to the delicate and microscopic blood vessels of the eye.

So control of blood pressure not only prevents certain eye diseases but also has an indirect effect on the progression of other ocular pathologies. Fluctuation of blood pressure is also harmful. So the control should be maintained steadily. People over the age of 40 are encouraged to get their blood pressure checked at regular intervals.

About the author- Dr.Soham Basak, Consultant, Cornea Department of Disha Eye Hospitals