Did
you know that the presence of hypertensive retinopathy-a condition of the
retina caused by high blood pressure or hypertension, is a predictor of your
risk of stroke? During your regular eye exam we thoroughly and carefully exam
the tiny blood vessels in your retina-especially for seniors and others who
have high blood pressure, other vascular disease and diabetes. For patients
with hypertension or high blood one of the important things we can learn from
your eye exam is your potential risk of stroke. In the past assessment of the
signs of hypertensive retinopathy-the retinal vascular condition that results
from high blood pressure-has been recommended for determining end organ damage
such as kidney and heart problems.
According
to a report in the journal Hypertension
there is a clear benefit in evaluating whether hypertensive retinopathy
predicts the long-term risk of stroke in those with hypertension. In this study, participants with hypertension
aged 50 to 73 years had gradable retinal photographs, no history of diabetes
mellitus, stroke, or coronary heart disease at baseline, were included in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC)
Study. Retinal photographs were assessed for hypertensive retinopathy and
classified as none, mild, and moderate/severe. Any history of stroke (cerebral
infarction or hemorrhagic stroke) was identified and confirmed. The results showed that after adjusting for
age, sex, blood pressure and other risk factors, persons with moderate
hypertensive retinopathy were more likely to have a stroke. Even in patients with hypertension on
medication with good control of blood pressure, hypertensive retinopathy was
related to an increased risk of stroke!
From
this study we know that hypertensive retinopathy predicts the long-term risk of
stroke, independent of blood pressure, even in treated patients with
hypertension with good hypertension control. Thus, if you have high blood
pressure, it is often important for us to obtain retinal photographs at your
eye examination in order to document and assess hypertensive retinopathy signs
that may be useful in predicting your stroke risk.
If you or someone you know has questions or would like
help in selecting, fitting or choosing sports protective eyeglasses, please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.
Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
