High blood pressure not only increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, it can also cause damage to blood vessels anywhere in the body, including the eyes. High blood pressure can exist without ever causing any symptoms, until a heart attack or stroke occurs. This means that checking it regularly is the best way to tell if it is getting too high. When blood pressure is elevated for a prolonged period, however, there may be warning signs. If high blood pressure eye symptoms appear, it is important to seek medical attention and take steps to lower blood pressure to a healthier level.
Blurred Vision
If high blood is not properly treated, many systems in the body can be affected. High blood pressure places force against the blood vessels walls. Over time, this can damage the blood vessels that supply the eyes, causing them to leak blood or burst, claims the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This can lead to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy, which can cause blurred vision. If the body attempts to heal the area by forming a scar, vision problems may continue to get worse.
Bleeding in the Eye
The optic nerve sends the images the eye detects to the brain, so they can be interpreted. If high blood pressure causes the blood vessels to leak, too much fluid may build up in the eyes. This can place pressure on the structures in the eye and on the optic nerve. MayoClinic.com states that this pressure can cause the eye's nerve cells to die, which can disrupt vision and cause bleeding or small aneurysms in the eye. The risk of eye damage from high blood pressure is even greater in those who have both high blood pressure and diabetes. High blood sugar levels can also damage blood vessels in the eye.
Blindness
Blood vessels throughout the body can narrow due to plaque buildup and this includes the blood vessels in the eyes. This can cause the affected vessels to narrow and harden, which reduces blood flow to the area. If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause damage to the retina in the eye and the optic nerve causing blindness, warns the American Heart Association. An eye doctor can perform an exam to determine the health of the blood vessels in the eye. The best defense is to check blood pressure often and keep it under control.
