The eyes have it for high blood pressure clues

By ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News

Close-up of eye.
(Pixelaway, Envato Elements)

When Dr. William White shines a bright light in his patient's eye, he's looking for more than just vision problems.

He's searching for clues indicating the effects of high blood pressure, or hypertension, and what he finds could help prevent heart attacks, strokes and other serious health problems far beyond the eye.

"We can see changes due to vascular conditions caused by diabetes or hypertension," said White, an optometrist with Baylor Scott & White Health in Temple, Texas. "The blood vessels in the retina can become a little more stiff and hardened. They'll push on each other and cross, like two hoses in a confined space.

"When it gets really bad, we'll see some of the blood vessels start to leak, we'll see some hemorrhaging. And that can cause a whole range of vision issues."

Vision symptoms may not show up for years. But ultimately, high blood pressure can result in hypertensive retinopathy, blood vessel damage causing blurred vision or loss of sight; choroidopathy, a buildup of fluid under the retina that can distort or impair vision; or optic neuropathy, a blood flow blockage that can kill nerve cells and cause vision loss.

Similarly, high blood pressure may not reveal itself for decades before causing a heart attack or stroke, which earns its grim description as the "silent killer."

That is why detecting high blood pressure early – and treating it with diet, exercise and medication – is crucial, and why White says eye doctors are on the front lines of the battle.

"Sometimes people will say, 'I'm just here to get my glasses. Why are you checking my blood pressure?'" he said. "We try to inform them about the unique opportunity we have to look at these blood vessels in the eye."

A reported in the journal Hypertension underscored the point. Researchers checked about 2,900 patients with high blood pressure for hypertensive retinopathy, then tracked them for an average of 13 years. They found that those with a mild form of the condition had a 35 percent greater risk of stroke. That increased risk leaped to 137 percent for those with moderate or severe hypertensive retinopathy.

Although more research is needed to confirm the findings regarding stroke risk, White has no doubt about the crucial role of eye doctors to educate patients about the need to control blood pressure.

"You're not just a pair of eyeballs walking into an exam room," he said. "We have to look at the entire person and the whole picture. These are things that can impact their lives significantly, and we have a responsibility for their overall health."

But doesn't every medical checkup start with a blood pressure check? And doesn't every pharmacy have a machine to measure it yourself?

White said many people would be surprised how many of his patients rarely see another doctor, or if they do, don't always follow medical advice or don't take their blood pressure medication.

"Some people don't go for a routine checkup every year," he said. "They tell me, 'Look, I just don't like going to the doctor.' But their eyes are a problem, so they'll come to us."

Knowing the risks of high blood pressure, White said, keeps him vigilant.

"It's so important because of the silent nature of this problem," he said. "People can feel absolutely fine, but high blood pressure has a cumulative effect. If it's uncontrolled over years, it's going to cause damage later in life."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News Stories

ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News stories reflect the official position of the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific journals or presented at ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.