Cardiologist Dr Valentina Baydina has warned that untreated high blood pressure can cause gradual vision loss by narrowing blood vessels inside the eye.
Speaking to news outlet Lenta.ru, Dr Baydina explained that consistently elevated blood pressure often damages sight silently without obvious early warning signs.
Dr Baydina, a candidate of medical sciences who practices at the SM-Clinic in Saint Petersburg, stated that unmanaged hypertension leads to a progressive narrowing of the blood vessels in the ocular fundus. Over time, this vascular damage can steadily impair visual function, even while a patient remains unaware of the underlying arterial changes.
SM-Clinic is one of the largest private medical networks in Russia, and the candidate of medical sciences designation is an advanced postgraduate degree equivalent to a research doctorate.
Hidden damage to ocular blood vessels
According to Dr Baydina, the gradual decline in sight may present no subjective symptoms in its early stages beyond a subtle deterioration in vision. She warned that only an ophthalmologist can detect these dangerous vascular changes during a clinical eye examination before major complications develop.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic health condition in which arterial blood pressure remains persistently elevated. Because high pressure forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood, it subjects smaller arteries throughout the body to continuous mechanical stress, causing vascular walls to thicken and narrow.
The eyes are particularly vulnerable to chronic hypertension because the retina relies on a dense network of microvessels. When blood flow through the ocular fundus becomes constricted, retinal tissues can suffer from reduced oxygenation and nutrient delivery.
Key warning signs to watch for
Despite the hidden nature of early ocular vessel changes, Dr Baydina outlined a series of specific symptoms that can indicate impending trouble for people living with high blood pressure.
The cardiologist explained that patients frequently report an overall drop in visual acuity alongside uncomfortable sensations of eye dryness or burning. Individuals may also experience a pressing pain in the region of the eyeballs or notice periodic dark spots and floating specks flickering across their field of vision.
Dr Baydina emphasized that anyone who regularly notices these warning indicators should seek professional medical attention without delay to prevent further deterioration.
Multi-specialist medical evaluation
If these symptoms appear, Dr Baydina advised consulting multiple medical specialists immediately, specifically a general practitioner or cardiologist alongside an ophthalmologist.
An eye specialist inspects the fundus using specialized illumination and magnification tools to check for vessel narrowing and retinal strain. Meanwhile, a primary care physician or cardiologist evaluates systemic blood pressure to prescribe appropriate therapeutic interventions and prevent broader organ damage.
