| Most people know high blood pressure
and other vascular diseases pose risks to overall health,
but many may not know that high blood pressure can affect
vision by damaging arteries in the eye.
Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) blocks the small
arteries in the retina, the light- sensing nerve layer
lining the back of the eye. The most common cause of
BRAO is a thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot.
Sometimes the blockage is caused by an embolus, a clot
carried by the blood from another part of the body.
Central vision is lost suddenly if the blocked retinal
artery is one that nourishes the macula, the part of
the retina responsible for fine sharp vision. Following
BRAO, vision can range from normal (20/20) to barely
detecting hand movement.
BRAO poses significant risks to vision. If you have
had a branch retinal artery occlusion or have high blood
pressure, regular visits to your ophthalmologist are
essential. |
