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| FALL 2000 – WINTER 2001 | |||
Vision Loss and High Blood PressureAge-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is an eye condition that affects over 10 million Americans between the ages of 45 and 75. This eye condition is caused by the tissue behind the retina breaking down, therefore, causing the central (straight ahead) vision to deteriorate. Recently, researchers at the University Medical Center in Stony Brook, New York, have found a clue linking a high diastolic blood pressure reading (low number in reading — 120/80). In their studies of 1,200 people with neovascular (“wet”), non-neovascular (“dry”) ARMD and a control group with neither condition, those with a reading of 95 or more were four times as likely to have “wet” ARMD than the control group. Also the odds ratio was much higher among persons who were also using medication for high blood pressure.
The results of the study do imply that individuals with hypertension should be seen regularly by an ophthalmologist. Early detection and treatment can slow down vision loss (Sources: Archives of Ophthalmology, March 2000; Reuters Health, New York, March 29, 2000; Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, June 2000).
The Visionary , published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,is available upon request. The information contained in this issue, taken from sources considered to be accurate, does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments. |
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© Copyright 2001 - 2006 Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness |
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However,
Leslie Hyman, Ph.D., study leader, cautioned people not to conclude that
having high blood pressure will bring on ARMD. “It is important to
realize that the two conditions take years to develop and it is difficult
for scientists to tease out whether one causes the other or whether they
are both part of a more general process of blood-vessel disease,” Dr.
Hyman stated.
