According to the CDC, over 70% of American adults older than 60 have hypertension, or high blood pressure. It may be a common health concern, but it’s not a small matter at all.
With high blood pressure comes a number of concerning issues, such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysms, and more. So it should be understandable why you should be wary of hypertension symptoms.
However, one thing seniors may not be aware of is hypertensive retinopathy. What is this issue, what should you look out for, and how can you treat it in Harrisburg, NC? Find out by reading this article.
What’s Hypertensive Retinopathy?
Hypertensive retinopathy is a condition that results from persistently high blood pressure (hypertension). Over time, it can narrow or harden the retinal arteries, as well as reduce blood flow. As a result, this causes damage to the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue found at the back of the eye.
If you leave this condition unmanaged, then it can lead to permanent vision loss and signal systemic vascular damage.
Why Are Seniors More at Risk?
There are several reasons why seniors are more at risk for hypertensive retinopathy. For one, they have weakened immune systems and poor circulation, which can slow healing and increase complications.
Also, chronic hypertension is common in seniors since there’s less elasticity in their blood vessels. Other comorbidities (like diabetes or kidney disease) can worsen retinal damage as well.
On that note, they may have other age-related eye conditions, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. These may worsen their outcomes.
The Stages of Hypertensive Retinopathy
There are actually four stages of hypertensive retinopathy, and they’re based on the Keith-Wagener-Barker classification:
- Grade 1: Arteriolar sclerosis (mild narrowing of the arteries)
- Grade 2: More noticeable narrowing and signs of AV nicking (compression of veins by arteries)
- Grade 3: Retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots (nerve fiber damage), and exudates (lipid leakage)
- Grade 4: Papilledema (swelling of the optic disc)
Symptoms to Watch for in Seniors
Grade 4 hypertensive retinopathy is a medical emergency, so you want to do your best not to let it get that far. These are the symptoms you should watch out for:
- Blurred vision or visual disturbances
- Headaches
- Eye strain or discomfort
- Double vision
- Sudden vision loss (advanced cases)
Typically, there’s a silent progression, which makes regular eye exams essential. This is especially true if you already have hypertension.
Diagnosing Hypertensive Retinopathy
If you notice any of the above symptoms, then senior eye care is a must. See your eye doctor, who should be an expert in vision concerns in older adults.
The ophthalmologist will first take your blood pressure and do a systemic evaluation. Then, they’ll do a dilated fundus examination, as well as fundus photography for documentation and monitoring. They’ll also perform a fluorescein angiography to detect blood flow issues, and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) to see if there’s any swelling or fluid.
After these extensive tests, your eye doctor will be able to tell you whether or not you have hypertensive retinopathy.
Treatment and Management
Do note that the damage from this condition isn’t always reversible. However, if you control the underlying hypertension, you can prevent progression. This involves aggressive blood pressure management.
Other treatment options include:
- Laser therapy in severe cases with fluid leakage or retinal vein occlusion
- Anti-VEGF injections if there’s macular edema
- Vitrectomy surgery if there are retinal hemorrhages or detachment
What’s most important is that there’s ongoing collaboration between your doctor, cardiologist, and ophthalmologist.
Prevention and Eye Health Strategies for Seniors
Above, we’ve just proposed aggressive blood pressure management to treat this condition. This means maintaining a blood pressure of under 130/80 mm Hg and taking antihypertensive medications as prescribed. You should also monitor your blood pressure regularly, either at home or at a clinic.
Below are other ways you can handle your high blood pressure and vision.
Managing Other Health Conditions
If you have other conditions that can worsen retinal damage (such as diabetes and high cholesterol), get those under control. Keeping your body weight in a healthy range can help with that.
Plus, you should quit smoking. Tobacco use constricts blood vessels, and this can impair oxygen delivery to your eyes.
Medication Adherence
No matter what health conditions you have, you should always take all prescribed medications consistently. It’s especially important that you do this for antihypertensives, statins, and diabetes medications.
You should try your best to avoid skipping doses. This can cause dangerous spikes in your blood pressure.
Routine Eye Exams
We mentioned earlier that routine eye exams are essential. They can make aging and retina health easier to deal with.
At the very least, you should get a dilated eye exam once a year if you have hypertension. If there’s hypertensive retinopathy, then the exams should be more frequent.
A Healthy Diet
You should eat a healthy diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Limit your intake of sodium, caffeine, and alcohol.
Hydration and Eye Care
Hydration is fantastic for your overall health, but it can also keep tissues hydrated. If that’s not enough, then use lubricating eye drops.
When you go outside, wear UV-protective sunglasses. This can prevent further retinal damage.
Regular Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is vital, as it can keep your body strong and your mental health excellent. You should aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days. These activities (like walking or swimming) can improve circulation and help control your blood pressure.
Look After Your Eye Health
Hypertensive retinopathy is a serious condition, and it’s a complication of high blood pressure. The good news is that it’s preventable, especially if you follow the advice in this article.
You should remember to schedule regular eye exams and be vigilant for signs. Add in a healthy diet, great hydration, and consistent exercise, and you’ll find an overall improvement to your quality of life.
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