Systemic arterial hypertension is a relatively common disease in elderly cats and has been associated most frequently with chronic renal disease, hyperthyroidism and heart disease. Long-term elevation in blood pressure causes damage to the retinal blood vessels. When blood vessels are damaged, fluids escape from their interior, which accumulate under the retina and cause it to detach. Clinical signs of this disease include acute blindness and dilated pupils.
Diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy is achieved through a complete ophthalmological examination and measurement of systemic blood pressure. Normally, systolic values greater than 160 mmHg are considered hypertensive. To adequately control high blood pressure, it is important to identify and treat the underlying diseases. Therefore, a complete health history, blood and urine tests are extremely helpful.
Treatment of hypertensive retinopathy includes control of the underlying disease and treatment of systemic hypertension with oral antihypertensives. Depending on the degree of retinal detachment, the amount of bleeding, and the duration of the retinal disease, cats may regain their vision with treatment.
Systemic arterial hypertension is a relatively common disease in elderly cats and has been associated most frequently with chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism and heart disease. Long-term elevation in blood pressure causes damage to the retinal blood vessels. When blood vessels are damaged, fluids escape from their interior, which accumulate under the retina and cause it to detach. Clinical signs of this disease include acute blindness and mydriasis (dilated pupils).
Diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy is achieved through a complete ophthalmological examination and measurement of systemic blood pressure. The ophthalmological examination allows us to observe changes such as retinal hemorrhages, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhages and hyphemia. Regarding the measurement of systemic blood pressure, systolic values greater than 160 mmHg are considered hypertensive. To adequately control high blood pressure, it is important to identify and treat the underlying diseases. Therefore, a complete health history, blood and urine tests are extremely helpful.
The prognosis depends on the intraocular lesions present and the time of onset of the disease, therefore these cases should be referred to an Ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Treatment of hypertensive retinopathy includes control of the underlying disease and treatment of systemic hypertension with oral antihypertensives. Sometimes eye drops may be prescribed, accordingly to the intraocular changes observed. Depending on the degree of retinal detachment, the amount of bleeding, and the duration of the retinal disease, cats may regain their vision with treatment.