How high blood pressure affects vision
Complications can arise if hypertension isn’t controlled, says UCI Health ophthalmologist
IN THE NEWS: Many people with high blood pressure may not realize it until the damage has been done.
That damage occurs all over the body, including in the eyes. UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute ophthalmologist Dr. Sanjay Kedhar spoke to The Washington Post about some of the complications that arise.
“The retina is vital for good vision. Lack of blood flow can cause damage and, if enough accumulates, lead to a complication called hypertensive retinopathy, which can cause blurred vision or even loss of eyesight.
“Lack of blood flow can cause damage and, if enough accumulates, lead to a complication called hypertensive retinopathy, which can cause blurred vision or even loss of eyesight.”
Kedhar is a board-certified UCI Health ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical management of uveitis and other autoimmune and infectious eye diseases. He is also a professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. His research focus includes white dot syndromes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis and treatment outcomes for ocular inflammatory disease.
A national and international lecturer, Kedhar is the author of more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals and a contributor to several textbooks. He also participates in medical missions around the world as a member of Operation Restore Vision.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Health — Orange provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).