High blood pressure silently damages your eyes: Know how to catch it early
"We know that high blood pressure affects the heart, but what we don't realise often is that it can silently damage the eyes and even lead to blindness if left untreated," said Dr. Jay Goyal, Eye Surgeon and Director at Surya Eye Institute.
When no treatment is given, hypertension can damage blood vessels throughout the body. ()
'In India, about 22.6% of the population has hypertension. This puts a large part of the population at risk for severe vision problems. Thankfully, we now have advanced, non-invasive tools like OCTA and OCT EDI that help us detect early damage in the retina and optic nerve caused by hypertension.'advertisementHOW HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AFFECTS YOUR EYESWhen high blood pressure damages the small and delicate blood vessels that carry blood to the eyes. This can lead to:Retinopathy: This is damage to the retina, the part of the eye that senses light. It can cause blurred vision, bleeding in the eye, or complete vision loss. People with both diabetes and high blood pressure are at even higher risk.
When high blood pressure damages the small and delicate blood vessels that carry blood to the eyes. ()
Choroidopathy: High blood pressure can lead to fluid build-up under the retina, causing distorted vision or scarring that worsens eyesight.Optic neuropathy: If blood flow to the optic nerve (which sends visual signals to the brain) is blocked, it can cause nerve damage, bleeding inside the eye, and permanent vision loss.HOW TO CATCH IT EARLY Since high blood pressure often shows no early symptoms, regular health check-ups are required.According to Dr. Goyal, eye specialists now use tests like OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and OCTA (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography) to detect changes in blood flow and signs of early eye damage, even before symptoms appear.
Since high blood pressure often shows no early symptoms, regular health check-ups are required. (s)
These tests are quick, painless, and non-invasive. Therefore, early detection is crucial. You can reduce your risk of eye damage from hypertension by:Getting your eyes checked regularly, especially if you have high blood pressureEating a balanced diet low in saltExercising regularlyManaging stressTaking prescribed medication to control your blood pressureHigh blood pressure may be silent, but its effects don't have to be. With regular screenings and a healthy lifestyle, vision loss from hypertension can often be prevented.Must Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
NEET cut-off dip a shot in arm for Indian med
Chennai: As admissions to medical and dental courses are likely to get tougher this year, more students have applied for Indian medicine - ayurveda, siddha, and unani - and homeopathy in 2025. Officials say an increase in sales of application forms reveals more students are turning to Ayush as a career option. When the deadline for applications ended on Thursday, the state committee for admissions in Indian Medicine had received about 7,900 applications, nearly 500 more than in 2024. The sale of applications had commenced on July 24. TN offers 320 seats in two govt siddha medical colleges, located in Arumbakkam and Palayankottai, as well as one college each in unani (Arumbakkam), homeopathy (Madurai), and ayurveda (Kanyakumari). Of these 320 seats, 48 are set aside for admission through All India quota. In addition, there are 1,920 seats in 29 private Ayush colleges. The selection committee admits students to ayurveda, siddha, unani, and homeopathy courses based on merit in NEET scores and the 69% rule of reservation. In 2024, when NEET scores in Tamil Nadu, and across India, soared, the top student to join the bachelor's course in Siddha medicine had a NEET score of 592/720. Top score was 585 for ayurveda, 551 for unani, and 547 for homeopathy. The difference in scores between students who joined govt colleges wasn't huge, as the last candidate to join siddha had a score of 539. Barring unani, where the cut-off was 433, all others had a cut-off above 500. Overall, the cut-off for Ayush admissions surged by up to nearly 300 marks in select categories. All seats in undergraduate courses for unani and siddha across colleges were taken, while five in ayurveda and 19 in homeopathy were vacant after nearly five rounds of counselling. This year, the cut-offs may come down drastically as scores in NEET 2025 were lower compared to the previous year's scores. Considering that students are bunched up between 400 and 550 marks, experts say many students are likely to take up admissions in bachelor's programmes of Indian medicine.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
These everyday habits could turn 'fatty liver' into cancer: How to stop it now?
Fatty liver disease , recently reclassified as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is emerging as one of the world's fastest-growing health threats. Once dismissed as a minor condition, it now affects one in three adults globally, according to The Times of India. The condition develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver, and while it can remain symptomless in early stages, untreated cases may progress to liver scarring, cirrhosis , or even cancer. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency Why This Silent Disease Matters The MD Anderson Cancer Center warns that MASLD can escalate into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form marked by inflammation and cell damage. MASH significantly raises the risk of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma , the most common type of liver cancer. What makes the disease alarming is its stealthy nature—many patients show no symptoms until serious damage has already occurred. Three Habits That Worsen Fatty Liver Experts highlight three everyday lifestyle choices that can silently push fatty liver from a reversible condition to a dangerous one: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it Poor Diet Choices Diets high in sugar, refined carbs, and ultra-processed foods such as sodas, chips, biscuits, and fast food accelerate fat buildup in the liver. Nutritionists recommend shifting to a Mediterranean diet , rich in vegetables, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and fish, which has been shown to reduce liver fat. Sedentary Lifestyle Long hours of sitting and minimal movement reduce the liver's ability to process fat efficiently. Doctors suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense physical activity weekly. Simple habits like taking stairs or walking during phone calls can also support liver health . Underlying Health Conditions Conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol heighten the risk of fatty liver progression. Addressing these through weight management, improved sleep quality, and regular medical monitoring is key to prevention. Early Warning Signs to Watch For Because fatty liver is often called a 'silent disease', identifying symptoms can be tricky. Some possible indicators include fatigue, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, elevated liver enzymes during routine tests, and an enlarged liver seen in imaging scans. Doctors emphasize that early detection through screenings is vital, especially for those in high-risk groups. iStock Because fatty liver is often called a 'silent disease', identifying symptoms can be tricky. You Might Also Like: India's silent epidemic: 6 foods to include in your diet if you have fatty liver Can Fatty Liver Be Reversed? The good news is that fatty liver, especially in its early stage, is largely reversible. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of body weight can significantly reduce liver fat. Interestingly, research highlighted in The Times of India shows that even coffee consumption may reduce fatty liver risk due to its antioxidant properties. Health experts caution that the global spike in fatty liver cases reflects deeper societal habits: processed diets, urban sedentary lifestyles, and rising metabolic disorders. Without intervention, MASLD could become a leading cause of liver transplants and liver cancer in the coming decades. Stopping fatty liver in its tracks is possible. The prescription is simple yet powerful: eat mindfully, move more, manage metabolic health, and get screened regularly. Doctors insist that your liver's future health depends less on expensive treatments and more on everyday choices made today. This article is intended solely for informational use and should not be taken as medical advice. For any concerns regarding a health condition or treatment, please consult a licensed physician or qualified healthcare professional. You Might Also Like: Fatty liver symptoms to watch before it turns cancerous: Who's most at risk and what lifestyle changes can help
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Delhi toddler turned away from hospital after stray dog bite as anti-rabies vaccine unavailable despite SC orders
Just three days after the Supreme Court directed authorities to ensure prompt treatment for dog-bite victims and maintain sufficient anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) stocks, a 22-month-old girl was reportedly turned away from Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan in Delhi on Thursday night after being scratched by a stray dog, reported TOI. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency The child's father, Munna Kumar of Radhey Shyam Park, Krishna Nagar, said his daughter was playing outside a relative's home in Noida near Sector 78 when a stray dog attacked her, leaving scratches on both thighs. "She was scratched on both legs. We rushed to Hedgewar Hospital in Karkardooma around 9pm, but the doctors said they didn't have the vaccine and asked us to go to another hospital," he told TOI . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mystical Forest Vase: Hot Sale topgadgetlife Shop Now Undo Records reviewed by TOI show the case was logged as a Category II dog bite, involving minor scratches without bleeding, with a note stating, 'Injection ARV N/A and refer to any govt hospital for ARV inj.' The family then proceeded to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where staff told them to return the next morning. The child eventually received the first ARV dose on Friday morning, nearly 12 hours after the incident, with a second dose scheduled for August 18. Live Events Vaccine shortages A senior Hedgewar Hospital official told the media outlet that ARV supplies had been requested three months ago from the central procurement agency, with delivery expected next week. A GTB official added that while vaccines are available 24/7, they would investigate why the child could not receive treatment overnight. The Supreme Court's August 11 order stressed on immediate treatment for bite victims, public disclosure of vaccine stocks, creation of helplines, and sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs within 6–8 weeks. Thursday's incident highlights the gap between court directives and reality on the ground, stressing the urgent need for better stock monitoring and timely access to lifesaving vaccines across Delhi's hospitals
