According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the long-term effects of high blood pressure (also called hypertension), can be detrimental to eye health, as various conditions can develop as a result. AHA explains that hypertension occurs when “your blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is constantly too high.” The eyes contain many tiny blood vessels, thus are easily harmed by the effects of high blood pressure over time.
One of the most serious and life-threatening effects of hypertension is a stroke which can lead to vision loss not only through damage to the eye itself but by damaging the optic nerve in the brain which is responsible for processing images. The AHA lists the following eye conditions that can also develop as a result of hypertension:
- Retinopathy – Blood vessel damage.
- Choroidopathy – Fluid buildup under the retina.
- Optic Neuropathy – Nerve damage.
You are encouraged to speak with your eyecare professional or your primary healthcare provider about any family history of eye diseases, hypertension, and for a proper eye exam. You may also ask about ways to keep your eyes healthy and ways to keep your blood pressure under control. To schedule an annual physical at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure-can-lead-to-vision-loss