The management of systemic hypertension in optometric practice.

Aim: Systemic hypertension is a silent killer that may have very few warning signs. This study examines detection and management of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) by optometrists in the UK.

Method: A survey was sent out to 1402 optometrists who practice in the UK to investigate the nature and knowledge of detection of systemic hypertension.

Hypertension and the eye.

In addition to being the chief cause of death in developed countries, systemic hypertension is also a leading cause of visual impairment. The eye is an end arteriolar system and is therefore susceptible to changes in blood pressure. It is also the only place where blood vessels can be clearly viewed by noninvasive techniques.

Ocular signs of systemic hypertension: a review.

Cardiovascular disease and stroke continue to be the chief causes of death in developed countries and one of the leading causes of visual impairment. The individual with systemic hypertension may remain asymptomatic for many years. Systemic mortality and morbidity are markedly higher for hypertensives than normotensives, but can be significantly reduced by early diagnosis and then efficient management.