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The response of the light reflex of retinal vessels to reduced blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Author(s) -
BrinchmannHansen Olaf,
Christensen Carl C.,
Myhre Kjell
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1990.tb01897.x
Subject(s) - medicine , reflex , blood pressure , retinal , hypertensive retinopathy , fundus (uterus) , ophthalmology , arteriosclerosis , cardiology , retinopathy , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
The response of retinal arteries and veins to 3 months of antihypertensive medication was studied in 10 patients (39–56 years old) with essential hypertension. We used computerized microdensitometry on fundus photographs, a technique allowing for objective and simultanous measures of the caliber of blood columns and the width and intensity of their central ‘light reflex’. A moderate lowering of diastolic and systolic blood pressures ( P < 0.001) resulted in a significant reduction in the intensity of reflection from retinal arteries (38.6%; P < 0.005). An increase in the width of the blood column (2.8%; n.s.) and the reflex (8.6%; n.s.) was indicated. Traditionally, changes in light reflectivity has been associated with arteriosclerosis of the vessel wall. The study shows, however, that the vascular reflex is most sensitive to changes in the systemic blood pressure. This signals a need for critical reviewal of interpretation and usefullness of classical grading systems of ophthalmoscopic signs of hypertensive retinopathy.