High Blood Pressure and Macular Degeneration

What does high blood pressure have to do with the eyes and especially the macula?

There is a reason why my signature saying is "Better Health for Better Vision." The eyes are a window or a picture of what is happening in the rest of the body. The health or condition of the eyes is an indicator of what is going on elsewhere.

Often health problems can be prevented when an early eye problem has been identified. Conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are often first discovered during an eye exam.

Macular degeneration occurs when the blood flow to and from the macula is not working properly. Not enough nutrients and oxygen are getting to the macula and likewise, the waste products are not being removed and they build up in the macula.

To have healthy eyes we want to promote a healthy blood flow or circulation to the eyes. Any time we have a condition that harms that blood flow or the tiny blood vessels that feed the macula, like hypertension, we cause harm to our eyes.

High blood pressure may be more of a significant risk factor for developing wet age related macular degeneration according to the Age Related Macular Degeneration Risk Factors Study Group.

Blood pressure readings consist of a diastolic and a systolic reading. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. These two numbers are very important for you to know. For the definition and causes of high blood pressure and how to lower it click here:

Blood Pressure Readings

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Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Better Health for Better Vision