Eye test - High BP or Retinopathy?

[robofski]

I had my regular eye test yesterday (not retinopathy). The optician asked me how my Blood Pressure was as there were signs of high blood pressure in the capillaries! I've never had any significant BP issues, usually just some 'White Coat Syndrome' where they have to check it a couple of times to get a normal reading.

Does anyone know if retinopathy and high blood pressure cause the same effects seen at the back of the eyes or are they very different? I'm a little worried that its retinopathy not high BP causing the problems!

 

[LeeLee]

My optician spotted the BP eye changes about 5 years before I was diagnosed with D. Every retinal screen has been clear. Take from that what you will!

 

[robofski]

My optician spotted the BP eye changes about 5 years before I was diagnosed with D. Every retinal screen has been clear. Take from that what you will!

Thanks LeeLee, I shall take something positive from that! Now best get the BP checked out.

(And here's to post 500!)

 

[Robster65]

I think they are similar symptoms robofski. It could be that you have some changes but as Leelee points out, most of the time they will fix themselves.

Pretty much everyone on here will have background retinopathy diagnosed at some point and it's hard to say what causes it sometimes. 🙂

Rob

 

[newbs]

I had pre-eclampsia when expecting my first child and several months later I went for my routine eye check and the optician noticed the changes that had been made by the high bp during my pregnancy! I was quite surprised at how she could still see them then - nothing to do with retinopathy though. Hope your bp check goes ok but definitely get it checked out.

 

[Caroline]

I'd be inclined to getthe BP checked by the GP. When I was first diagnosed with hig BP I had my eyes checked and was told they were fine, this was before the diabetes.