C53115: Retinal vascular disease – part 2

In the first part of this series, we looked in detail at vascular occlusive diseases. To conclude, we will look at hypertensive retinopathy, anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and some less common but still significant vascular disorders that seriously impact upon the eye.

Hypertensive retinopathy

Hypertension is no doubt a major health concern, affecting about one third of the world’s population¹ and is a key risk factor for preventable premature death and disability.² Hypertension is also known to have many effects on the eye, two of which have already been looked at in the article last month but also others such as cranial nerve palsies and macroaneurysms. Hypertensive retinopathy itself comprises a spectrum of disease ranging from innocuous signs leading the optometrist to refer the patient to their GP to sight and life-threatening signs indicating immediate referral to secondary care.