Hypertension Poses Serious Risk to Vision

July 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Edison, New Jersey, July 23, 2010 -  While it is widely understood that hypertension poses a tremendous health risk and causes heart and kidney problems, few realize the danger it poses to eyesight, to according to Hitesh K. Patel, M.D.,  an Edison, New Jersey Ophthalmologist.

Understanding the serious nature of hypertensive retinopathy, or the eye disease caused by uncontrolled hypertension, can lead to improved general health.

"The retina is one of the target organs damaged by sustained hypertension. Ocular blood vessels have different characteristics based on their anatomical location that, subsequently, dictate their response to elevated blood pressure. Hypertension damages the small blood vessels in the retina, decreasing the blood supply and causing leakage, and eventually, serious vision loss," explains Patel.

Hypertensive retinopathy is a serious eye disease and is progressive.  The only truly effective treatment is prevention or slowing the progression through the management of the hypertension.

"A person with hypertensive retinopathy will experience gradual loss of vision which may not be noticeable at first. Typically, when a person notices a change in their vision, significant damage has already occurred."

For this reason, Patel recommends regular eye exams for people diagnosed with hypertension.

"Regular eye exams can catch diabetic retinopathy early. When a patient realizes that their vision is in jeopardy, they are more likely to make the important changes to their lifestyle needed to improve their general health, resulting in the preservation of vision. This can lead to the better management of the hypertension and better overall health," asserts Dr. Patel.

Dr. Patel is board certified in ophthalmology and has been practicing ophthalmology for more than a decade. For more information on Dr. Patel or hypertensive retinopathy, please contact his office at 732-985-5009 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              732-985-5009      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit him online at www.pateleyeassociates.com.

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Experienced Ophthalmology in Edison, Middlesex and New Jersey

Welcome to Patel Eye Associates. We have been serving the ophthalmology needs of patients in the Edison, Middlesex, and New Jersey area for the past six years. Our board certified ophthalmologists are committed to delivering the highest quality eye care to every patient that walks through our door.

A Full Service Ophthalmology Practice

Patel Eye Associates offers a broader range of services than most practices in the area. Edison ophthalmologist Dr. Hitesh K. Patel and Dr. Himanshu S. Shah have extensive experience in a variety of areas, including:

• Cataracts
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• LASIK
• Presbyopia
• Keratoconus
• Macular Degeneration
• Pterygium surgery

Our skills, experience, and training enable us to provide you with all of your eye care needs in one office.