The Connection Between Hypertension and Vision Loss
The connection between hypertension and vision loss is covered in the article "Reversible Loss of Vision in Malignant Hypertension" by Shukla and Virani. The 35-year-old individual in the article who was assessed by the authors had diminished vision in both of his eyes. With no other relevant medical history, the man's lone symptom was sporadic headaches. Based on the results of the fundus examination, the authors advised a blood pressure assessment of the subject. The patient's blood pressure was discovered to be 190/100 mm Hg, indicating that he had excessive blood pressure (Shukla & Virani). Other tests that were conducted showed that the patient was suffering from hypertension. Based on the results, the patient was put under anti-hypertension treatment for one month, and when he was tested again, his blood pressure was 120/90 mmHg and his visual acuity had also greatly improved from 20/80 to 20/30 in both eyes (Shukla & Virani). The authors, therefore, came up with the conclusion that malignant hypertension has the possibility of resulting in acute loss of vision due to neuropathy and maculopathy. When hypertension is discovered in good time, vision may be restored and retina anatomy reinstated without the need to actually treat the eyes themselves.Relevance in the Field of Medicine
The article is relevant in the field of medicine as it shows the risks which hypertension exposes an individual to, including end-organ damage. It provides information and adds to the research that exists, which shows the relationship between hypertension and microvascular disease of the eye (Shukla & Virani). The condition is linked to other ophthalmic conditions based on the research that has been conducted in the field (Shukla & Virani).Connection to Human Systems
The article is connected to the blood circulation system of human beings. Blood pressure is the force produced by blood as it pushes through the walls of arteries. When the heart beats, the blood is pushed into the arteries, producing systolic pressure (Lackland 2001). When the heart is at rest, diastolic pressure is produced. The systolic and the diastolic pressure are used to measure the blood pressure of an individual to determine the existence of hypertension (Lackland 2010). The blood pressure is considered normal when the reading is at 119/79 or lower (Lackland 2015). Hypertension in most occasions has no symptoms, despite the fact that it causes other major problems in the human body.Scientific Validity
The article is valid scientifically as the research was conducted in a real-life situation and the results of a patient used. The authors are experts in the medical field with both working at the Center for Sight in India. The authors are both ophthalmologists and specialize in the management of traumatic cataracts.Terminologies
- Malignant Hypertension: Refers to a situation where the blood pressure is dangerously high and in most occasions leads to a medical emergency.- Neuropathy: Refers to a malfunction of the nerves and is mostly classified based on the area where the affected nerves are located.
- Maculopathy: Refers to a condition whose main features are the progressive loss of the central vision which, in most occasions, impairs the visual function in the human body.
Mechanisms
Hypertension has major risk factors that are increased by the lack of symptoms linked to the condition (Rosendorff 435). The condition is mostly caused by high blood pressure and poor access to health care. The symptoms of the condition include increased blood pressure, loss of sight, and dizziness, among others (Rosendorff 435).Personal Insights
Owing to the high risks that individuals with hypertension are exposed to, the article is important and relevant to the medical field (Shukla & Virani). The article provides information on the relationship that exists between the loss of eyesight and hypertension. The most important information is the material and the facts showing that the loss of visual acuity can be restored if discovered early, without the need to interfere with the eyes themselves (Shukla & Virani). The article, therefore, encourages individuals to ensure their blood pressure is regularly checked to prevent other problems caused by hypertension.Works Cited
Rosendorff, Clive. Lackland, D. Allison, M. Aronow, W. S. Black, H. “Treatment of hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease.” Circulation. 131.19. (2015). e435-e470.
Lackland, Daniel. T, et al. “Treatment of hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease.” Cardiol, 65 (2015), 1998-2038.
Dhananjay, Shukla & Asify, Virani. “Reversible Loss of Vision in Malignant Hypertension”. 2016. The New England Journal of Medicine.
