Is There a Link Between High Blood Pressure and Glaucoma?

Various systems in the body are linked. When something is wrong with one system it may have a negative effect on another part of the body. This may especially be true when dealing with your cardiovascular system. For instance, high blood pressure, referred to as hypertension, can often lead to several adverse effects, including increasing your risk of a stroke.
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But can your blood pressure affect your risk of developing eye diseases? The answer may be surprising. The article below explores the relationship between high blood pressure and your risk of glaucoma.
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What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of force your blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. When that force is continually too high, the condition is known as hypertension.

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: diastolic and systolic. Systolic (the top number) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood, and diastolic (the bottom number) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest and filling with blood. According to the American Heart Association, a systolic blood pressure of over 130 is considered high. Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but risk factors include the following:

• Being over the age of 60
• Having high cholesterol
• Obesity
• Having diabetes
• Eating foods that are high in salt
• Using tobacco products

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What is increased eye pressure? 

Ocular hypertension develops when the pressure within the eye increases beyond normal levels. This may occur when the fluid in the front of the eye does not drain efficiently. Ocular hypertension is not the same thing as glaucoma, and not everyone with increased eye pressure develops glaucoma.

In ocular hypertension, an individual has increased eye pressure, but their optic nerve looks normal, and they do not have any signs of vision loss. However, having increased eye pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma. 

Anyone can develop increased eye pressure, but there are certain factors that increase your risk, such as the following:

• Being over age 40
• A family history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Having diabetes
• Being African American or Hispanic
  
• A past eye injury or surgery

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Is there a link between high blood pressure and glaucoma?

Research in the American Heart Association Journal found that there are complex physiological interactions between blood pressure and intraocular pressure. For example, high blood pressure may increase intraocular pressure by increasing the production of aqueous humor (the fluid in the front part of the eye) and also affect the eye's ability to drain fluid.

However, blood pressure that is too low may also increase the risk of glaucoma. An article published on the Glaucoma Foundation's website found that low blood pressure may decrease blood flow to the optic nerve. Low ocular perfusion pressure is a significant risk factor for glaucoma.

It appears blood pressure that is too high or too low may increase the risk of developing glaucoma. Additional research is needed to determine specific blood pressure measurements that increase the risk.
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Maintaining a healthy blood pressure  

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is good for your overall health, including eye health.

The first step in maintaining healthy blood pressure is knowing your numbers. Have regular blood pressure checks to determine if your blood pressure is too high or too low. Keep in mind that blood pressure fluctuates from day to day and even from hour to hour. However, it is helpful to regularly check your blood pressure to determine if you are trending in one direction or the other.

Additionally, there are several things you can do to promote healthy blood pressure, such as the following:

• Take medication as prescribed for medical conditions
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get regular exercise
• Limit salt intake
• Do not smoke
• Limit alcohol

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.