9
Oct

Did you know that high blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer?” Most people know that the heart can be damaged by high blood pressure, but they don’t realize that this health condition can have a domino effect on many other aspects of overall health.

One potential complication when high blood pressure goes untreated is that it can affect your eye health and vision. So, if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, then it’s critical that you maintain routine eye exams to catch any potential issues in the earliest stages.

Are Your Eyes Being Affected by High Blood Pressure?

When blood pressure goes up, it can cause damage to the delicate blood vessels located in the retina. If blood flow slows down because of this damage, then it can harm multiple structures within the eye… including the optic nerve.

Patients with untreated high blood pressure are often diagnosed with serious eye conditions, such as:

• Hypertensive Retinopathy: The blood vessels narrow and start to leak, causing blurred vision and swelling of the optic nerve.
• Retinal Vein or Artery Occlusion: This condition is also known as “eye strokes.” The blood vessels become blocked, resulting in sudden vision loss.
• Choroidopathy: If fluid starts to build up under the retina, then it can cause your vision to become distorted.
• Optic Neuropathy: Low blood flow within the eye causes damage to the optic nerve, resulting in permanent vision loss.

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Damaged by High Blood Pressure

The most important thing that you need to understand is that when high blood pressure damages the eyes, the damage is often irreversible. So, if you experience vision loss because of untreated high blood pressure, then it will likely affect you for the rest of your life.

Contact an eye doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Blurry or double vision
• Sudden vision loss (partial or complete loss)
• Eye pain
• Eye pressure
• Headaches accompanied by vision changes

Many of the earliest symptoms go undetected, which is why it’s so important to maintain regular eye exams.

Schedule Your Appointment at Temecula Creek Optometry

Our team at Temecula Creek Optometry is here to help. We use modern technology and the latest advances in the eye care industry to catch eye diseases in the earliest stages. Contact us to book your appointment and consult with an experienced eye doctor about protecting your vision: (951) 302 -1331.