Against the background of long-term blood pressure without proper therapy, various complications arise, including hypertensive angiopathy of the retina. More serious complications include myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, etc.
The main stages of hypertensive angiopathy of the retina
The disease develops with a long course of arterial hypertension.
Hypertensive retinal angiopathy suggests several stages:
- Changes at the functional level. They are characterized by an expansion of a number of veins and a narrowing of the arteries, as a result of which blood microcirculation is disturbed. At this stage, the pathological process is not pronounced and can only be detected when examining the fundus.
- Organic processes. During the transition to this stage, the structure of the vessel walls changes. They become denser and are subsequently replaced by connective tissue. Thickening of the walls provokes insufficient blood supplyretina. At this stage, the manifestation of the disease becomes more noticeable. There is a slight swelling of the retina, hemorrhages are often visible. When examined by a specialist, narrowed arteries and dilated veins are noticeable, which become branched. The luster of the vessels is noted, which is explained by the thickening of the walls.
- Angioretinopathy. Violation of blood circulation reaches a critical level, which provokes the appearance of exudate of a soft or hard consistency at the bottom of the fundus of the eye. It is a liquid containing proteins, red blood cells, white blood cells, minerals and microbes that provoke inflammation. At this stage, there is a significant deterioration in vision, there is a possibility of complete blindness.
Symptoms of disease
As a rule, hypertensive retinal angiopathy affects both eyes at the same time. The disease can occur in people of any age, but is often observed in patients after 30 years.
Hypertensive angiopathy of both eyes is characterized by a number of symptoms:
- periodic blurred vision (provoked by pressure surges);
- slight deterioration in the ability to see (with organic changes);
- significant visual impairment or blindness due to angioretinopathy;
- yellow spots on the eyes (fat deposits);
- pain in the eyes;
- blood in urine;
- joint pain when walking;
- nosebleeds.
Diagnosis
Retinal angiopathy of the hypertonic type is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. They resort to the use of x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound.
As a rule, an examination of the condition of the fundus is carried out with an indispensable dilation of the pupils. To further clarify the diagnosis, it is possible to use a contrast study of blood vessels by means of fluorescein angiography, which quite clearly displays all pathological processes.
Also used as prescribed by a doctor:
- ultrasound dopplerography of eye vessels;
- ophthalmodynamics (measurement of blood pressure in the arteries and veins of the retina);
- rheoophthalmography (graphic registration of blood circulation in the eye).
These methods make it possible to identify violations in the vessels, which may be necessary when drawing up a plan for further therapy.
Treatment
Hypertensive angiopathy belongs to the category of systemic diseases, therefore it requires an integrated approach in treatment.
In the vast majority of cases, with hypertensive angiopathy of the eye, one cannot do without the use of drugs. As a rule, drugs are prescribed that optimize blood circulation, normalize the supply of nutrients to the retina, and reduce prothrombin. These can be various medicines in the form of tablets, drops and vitamins.
What drugs are prescribed?
Angiopathy of the hypertensive type is treated by an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a neuropathologist. Since arterial hypertension is the basis of the onset of the disease, the treatment consists in lowering the pressure. In case of circulatory disorders, vasodilators may be prescribed. For example, an ophthalmologist may prescribe drugs such as Mildronate, Trental, Solcoseral. Eye drops "Taufin", "Emoxifin" and vitamins "Lutein Complex", "Anthocyae Forte" and others can also be used.
If hypertensive angiopathy of the eyes caused increased fragility of blood vessels, then doctors prescribe calcium dobesilate, which optimizes blood microcirculation in the vessels, normalizes their permeability and reduces prothrombin.
In severe cases, the patient is shown hemodialysis, the purpose of which is to purify the blood.
Great benefits in the treatment have moderate physical activity, a means to improve the condition of the cardiovascular system.
In addition to medical treatment, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, and acupuncture are indicated.
There is also a special device - "Sidorenko glasses", which are used to optimize vision at home. They provide a whole range of procedures: phonophoresis, pneumomassage, color therapy.
Dieting
How is hypertensive angiopathy stopped? Treatment involves obligatory adherence to a diet that promoteslowering the patient's cholesterol levels.
Liquid intake should be limited. Foods containing s alt and cholesterol should be excluded from the diet. Vegetables, fruits, fish, dietary meats, vegetable oils and dairy products are recommended.
Use of folk remedies
In the treatment of a disease such as hypertensive angiopathy of the retina, folk methods have a high degree of effectiveness. First of all, the vessels are cleared of cholesterol and s alt. This effect can be achieved by using a decoction of mountain ash, black currant, dill seeds and parsley. Various herbal preparations are also very effective.
- Take 50 g of yarrow, lemon balm leaves and valerian roots (15 g each). Everything is carefully crushed and poured 1 tbsp. water. The mixture is infused for 3 hours in a cold place. Then it is boiled for 15 minutes in a water bath, cooled and filtered. A glass of infusion should be consumed per day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
- St. John's wort and chamomile are used in equal amounts (100 g each). The mixture is poured with two glasses of boiling water, infused for 20 minutes and filtered. Half of the decoction is drunk in the evening (eating and drinking after that is prohibited), and the second half in the morning on an empty stomach. The procedure should be repeated until the agent is finished.
- Infusion based on white mistletoe. One tsp ground grass is poured 1 tbsp. hot boiled water and infused in a thermos forthroughout the night. The infusion is drunk twice a day, 2 tbsp. l. within 3-4 months.
It should be noted that before using herbal preparations, you should consult a specialist.
Disease prevention
How to prevent the development of a disease such as hypertensive retinal angiopathy? No treatment is required if some preventive measures are taken.
The main condition is the correct distribution of the load on the eyes throughout the day. When working at a computer or watching TV, it is recommended to take breaks for an hour and perform special exercises. When working at a PC, special glasses are used. This will help reduce eye strain and protect them from dryness and strain.
You should also watch your blood pressure. In particular, you need to be careful for people who have a genetic predisposition to this disease. The correct daily routine and periodic consultations with a cardiologist will help prevent the development of hypertension.
Compliance with the daily routine
First of all, you need to pay attention to lifestyle. It is advised to include physical exercises in the daily routine (gymnastics in the morning and periodic warm-up). Cycling, walking and light running give excellent results.
You should monitor the state of the nervous system, do not overload it, resist stress, do not overwork, monitor the duration of sleep, establish work and rest.
ScienceIt has been proven that people who lead a calm lifestyle and receive positive emotions are less likely to suffer from hypertension and angiopathy, even in the presence of an unfavorable genetic factor. Therefore, the best prevention, in addition to a he althy lifestyle, is a favorable atmosphere in the family and at work.
Disease prognosis
The prognosis of angiopathy caused by hypertension largely depends on timely treatment and stabilization of blood pressure.
Due to long-term hypertension without proper treatment, serious complications can subsequently occur, leading not only to a deterioration in the ability to see, but also to blindness.
If therapy is started on time, vascular changes can be h alted and fully regenerated after pressure stabilization.
Hypertensive angiopathy requires urgent treatment. Moreover, constant jumps in blood pressure are a reason to seek help not only from a cardiologist, but also from an ophthalmologist, who will prescribe the necessary examinations and assess the state of the vascular system.
Conclusion
Hypertensive retinal angiopathy is a serious disease that can cause complications. With untimely treatment, the disease can even lead to complete loss of vision.
The main cause of the development of the disease is an increase in blood pressure. To achieve maximum effectiveness of therapy, you should contact a specialist in a timely manner. When the disease is advancedbecomes chronic.
Medications are used in the treatment to improve blood microcirculation in the retina. Tablets, drops and ointments may be used.
