The eye is an organ with a very delicate and vulnerable vascular structure. Prolonged high blood pressure will put great pressure on the blood vessel walls, causing them to thicken, narrow or leak. When the amount of blood reaching the retina (the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that helps capture light) is reduced, visual function will quickly be affected.
The impact of high blood pressure on vision
Here are 4 harmful effects of high blood pressure on vision (eyes):
1. Hypertensive retinopathy
When the retina is not supplied with enough blood due to narrowed or ruptured blood vessels, the eyes can begin to blur. If left untreated, this condition can lead to complete vision loss. In particular, people with diabetes and high blood pressure are at a much higher risk of developing retinopathy. Controlling stable blood pressure is the most important key to treating and preventing this damage.
2. Fluid Accumulation Under the Retina
In addition to damaging blood vessels, high blood pressure can also lead to fluid leakage under the retina. This fluid separates the retina from the layers below, resulting in distorted, blurry, or black areas in the field of vision. This condition is called choroidopathy. If left untreated, the retinal layer can leave permanent scars that can cause irreversible vision damage.
3. Optic Nerve Damage
The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting signals from the eye to the brain so we can see. When high blood pressure blocks the blood flow to this nerve, nerve cells begin to die. This causes optic neuropathy – a dangerous condition that can lead to blindness if not treated early.
4. Increased risk of other eye diseases
In addition to direct damage to the retina or optic nerve, high blood pressure also increases the risk of other serious diseases such as:
- Glaucoma: A condition in which the pressure inside the eye increases, can damage the optic nerve and cause gradual loss of vision.
- Macular degeneration: A leading cause of blindness in the elderly, causing loss of central vision.
In addition, not only directly harmful to the eyes, high blood pressure also increases the risk of stroke, and this can also seriously affect vision. A stroke that occurs in the area of the brain responsible for image processing or related to the optic nerve can cause the patient to completely lose vision in one eye or experience visual disturbances such as double vision, blurred or distorted images.
Proactive strategies to protect eyesight by controlling blood pressure
High blood pressure is a condition that can be controlled if the patient actively monitors and applies the right measures.
Here are some strategies to keep blood pressure stable, while protecting your eyes:
1. Healthy diet
One of the most important factors in controlling blood pressure is diet. Patients should reduce their daily salt intake, avoid salty foods, processed foods, and increase green vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains. Foods rich in potassium such as bananas, sweet potatoes, and spinach also help reduce blood pressure on the vessel walls, thereby stabilizing blood pressure and protecting the small blood vessels in the eyes.
2. Regular exercise
Exercise not only helps the heart stay healthy but also improves blood circulation to the eyes, helping to nourish the retina and optic nerve better. Appropriate activities such as walking, cycling, yoga or light exercise should be maintained for at least 30 minutes a day. This is an effective, inexpensive measure but brings many benefits in controlling blood pressure and preventing eye complications.
3. Avoid alcohol, beer and tobacco
Alcohol and tobacco are factors that increase blood pressure and cause direct damage to the vascular system, including blood vessels in the eyes. To protect vision and overall health, patients should completely avoid tobacco, limit alcohol as much as possible, and control stress well.
4. Monitor blood pressure regularly
Regular blood pressure measurement at home or at a medical facility helps patients detect abnormal fluctuations early, thereby adjusting their lifestyle or taking medication as prescribed in a timely manner. Being subjective and negligent in monitoring blood pressure can cause the condition to progress silently and cause serious complications, especially in the eyes.
5. Regular eye examinations
Eyes are a mirror of the health of the whole body. People with high blood pressure should have regular eye examinations at least every 6-12 months, especially when they are over 40 years old. This examination helps detect early damage caused by high blood pressure such as retinopathy, optic neuropathy or signs of diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration. Early detection is an important factor in timely intervention and long-term vision protection.
