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Hypertensive retinopathy
Retina & Vitreous
Key Points
- •The Keith-Wagener-Barker classification (Grades I–IV) is the standard grading; Grade IV (disc oedema) = malignant hypertension = medical emergency
- •Chronic changes (arteriolar narrowing, AV nicking, copper/silver wiring) are largely irreversible but do not affect vision directly
- •Acute changes (haemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, hard exudates, disc oedema) indicate current severe/uncontrolled hypertension and are reversible with BP control
- •Hypertensive retinopathy is an independent risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular mortality - findings should trigger systemic evaluation
- •In malignant hypertension, reduce BP by no more than 25% in the first hour to avoid ischaemic complications
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17 more sections are included with the Clinical plan.
- Definition
- Epidemiology
- Aetiology and causes
- Pathogenesis
- Classification
- Risk factors and associations