Hypertensive retinopathy

The retina is one of the "target organs" that are damaged by sustained hypertension, or high blood pressure that does not respond to treatment. By increasing the blood pressure inside the small blood vessels that involve the eye, damage is caused as these vessels expand or rupture and put pressure on nearby tissue. This tissue does not respond well to this pressure, and permanent damage can occur.

A major aim of treatment is to prevent, limit or reverse such target organ damage. The eye is an organ where damage is easily visible at an early stage, so regular eye examinations are important.