Angiopathy of the retina: what is dangerous and how to prevent?

Angiopathy of the retina is a disease that manifests itself in changes in the vascular system of the eye, namely its capillaries and other vessels. This problem is caused by disorders in the regulation of vascular tone by the autonomic nervous system. This causes difficulties with the inflow and outflow of blood from the organ, which disrupts its normal functioning and leads to negative changes in the eyes.

The above vascular problems are not independent diseases. It is easier to say that this dysfunction appears when the blood vessels of the entire body are in poor condition. The vessels of the retina suffer in the same way as other capillaries, veins and arteries, therefore, with such a state of the vascular system, changes begin to develop, for example, in the retina of the eye. Therefore, the term "angiopathy" is applied exclusively to eye problems caused by vascular disorders.

This dysfunction of the body does not depend on the age and gender of the patient. It is diagnosed in children and adults, women and men. But, nevertheless, a certain pattern has been identified: after thirty years, this problem occurs much more often than in adolescence or young age.

People who suspect that they may have eye problems are interested in what retinal angiopathy means?

At an appointment with an ophthalmologist, the following picture can be observed. The fundus of the eye, which is examined by the doctor, is not normal. The doctor notes vascular changes in this area of the eye. In this case, disturbances are observed in the lumens of blood vessels or their passages. The vessels can be in different states: narrowed or dilated, tortuous or straightened, full-blooded or with weak filling, and so on. The state of the vascular system in the eyes depends on the cause that led to these changes.

In most cases, the disease develops in both eyes, although there are exceptions to this rule.

ICD-10 code

The global health care system provides for a single classification of diseases, which is called the International Classification of Diseases. This system was developed by the World Health Organization, or WHO for short. After a certain period of time, the classification system is reviewed and adjusted depending on changes identified in global medical practice.

At the moment, the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision, which was approved in 2007, is relevant. It has twenty-one sections, which contain subsections with codes for diseases and painful conditions.

According to the ICD classifier, retinal angiopathy belongs to a group of diseases called "Diseases of the eye and its adnexa", No. H00 - H59 and belongs to the seventh class in order from the beginning of the list. The necessary diagnosis should be looked for in the subsection "Diseases of the vascular system and retina", No. H30 - H36. It is important to know that this term is generalizing, and when specifying a diagnosis, the names of diseases are used directly from this section of the classifier or they are assigned to the group "Other diseases" from the same subsection.

Causes of retinal angiopathy

The causes of retinal angiopathy are quite prosaic, although serious. They include:

• Problems in the cervical spine associated with osteochondrosis.
• Presence of traumatic eye injuries.
• Consequences of increased intracranial pressure.
• Consequences of smoking tobacco.
• Existing disturbances in the regulation of the tone of the vascular walls, which are produced with the help of the autonomic nervous system.
• Some blood diseases.
• Production activities in hazardous types of enterprises.
• Presence of diabetes mellitus.
• Reaching a certain age at which irreversible changes begin in the body.
• History of arterial hypertension.
• Intoxication damage to the body.
• Some features of the structure of the vessel walls that are genetic, for example, in telangiectasia.
• The presence of systemic vasculitis, which is of an autoimmune nature.

To summarize the above list, various injuries, vascular diseases of the whole organism, as well as systemic diseases of autoimmune and metabolic nature lead to problems with the vessels in the retina. In addition, intoxication of the organism with various toxic substances, heavy metals, etc., plays a significant role.

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Symptoms of retinal angiopathy

It is necessary to know the symptoms of retinal angiopathy in order to detect this disease in time. Signs of the disease include:

1. The presence of visual impairment.
2. The appearance of blurred vision, a kind of veil or fogginess before the eyes.
3. Statement of vision loss.
4. Existing periodic nosebleeds.
5. The appearance of pinpoint hemorrhages, which are localized in the eyeball.
6. Evidence of the steady progression of myopia.
7. Detection of retinal dystrophy.
8. The appearance of spots or dark dots that appear when examining objects.
9. The appearance of periodic flashes of light in the eyes, manifested in the form of peculiar “lightning”.
10. The occurrence of discomfort and pain in the eyes.

You can read more about the types and symptoms of retinal angiopathy here.

What is the danger of retinal angiopathy?

It is useful for a person who has received a disappointing diagnosis from an ophthalmologist to know what is dangerous about retinal angiopathy? And to take enhanced measures to restore their own health.

This condition of the vessels can lead (and does lead) to serious consequences. First of all, the normal functioning of the eye is disrupted, which is caused by problems with ensuring its normal nutrition. Disturbances in the free flow of blood lead to its stagnation, as well as the inability of the eyes to receive a sufficient dose of oxygen and other nutrients. The decay products are also not regularly removed with the blood flow: due to the poor functioning of the vessels, this is difficult.

Therefore, a patient who has experienced changes in the vascular system of the eyes may additionally develop the following diseases:

• Progressive myopia.
• Retinal dystrophy.
• The appearance of blurred vision.
• Possible development of blindness in one or both eyes.

It is not necessary that these problems will arise in a person. But, as a rule, most people do not monitor their health, and with a serious diagnosis do not take measures to improve their own well-being. Therefore, with a high degree of probability, one can assume the development of one of the above problems in a patient with retinal vascular lesions.

Diagnosis of retinal angiopathy

Diagnosis of retinal angiopathy is an important process that can only be entrusted to a qualified ophthalmologist. Since there is a possibility of error in the correct diagnosis.

First of all, the doctor examines the patient and finds out the nature of his complaints. Symptoms characteristic of the disease, related to the retina and the general condition of the patient should be identified. The retina is examined using the procedure of examining the fundus of the eye - ophthalmoscopy.

To clarify the diagnosis, ophthalmologists use various additional methods: ultrasound scanning of the eye vessels and X-ray examinations. Ultrasound scanning allows you to find out the speed of blood circulation in the vessels, as well as the current condition of the walls of the eye vessels. X-ray examination is carried out in order to obtain data on how passable the vessels are. And this procedure is carried out using an X-ray substance.

A third diagnostic test may be the use of magnetic resonance imaging, which can help determine aspects of the structure and condition of the soft tissues of the eyes.

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Treatment of retinal angiopathy

Treatment of retinal angiopathy primarily involves eliminating the underlying disease that caused such a severe complication. In most cases, when the patient's condition normalizes, eye problems resolve on their own, without requiring additional therapy.

You can read more about the treatment of retinal angiopathy here.

Prevention of retinal angiopathy

Prevention of retinal angiopathy consists of the following procedures:

• First of all, it is necessary to begin treatment of the underlying disease that caused vascular changes in the eyes.
• In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the workplace is properly and sufficiently illuminated.
• You should not read in transport in poor lighting, or at home in insufficient light.
• When working on a computer constantly, you need to take breaks. Ideally, a person works for forty-five minutes and then rests for the next fifteen minutes.
• It is important to give your eyes a rest between visual loads - lie down horizontally, relax and close your eyes. The same can be done on a chair if there is no bed.
• It is important to do eye exercises two or three times a day, and more often when working on a computer. Massage of the eyeball and acupressure are also useful.
• It is necessary to monitor your blood pressure and not allow it to rise or fall excessively. To do this, you need to regularly exercise, do breathing exercises, walk in the fresh air, walk a lot, and also include in your diet foods that strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
• Check your capillary glucose levels twice a year.
• Watch your diet! Eat enough, but not too much, avoid large amounts of sweets, flour and salty foods, fatty and fried foods, and other unhealthy foods.
• Pregnancy should be planned, before that improve your health and eliminate sources of chronic infections. This especially concerns caries, tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc.
• If you have a history of such diseases as diabetes, hypertension, osteochondrosis, you should resort to preventive treatment twice a year. It is important to use complex therapy with Trental, Actovegin, Vinpocetine, ATP and B vitamins.

Prognosis of retinal angiopathy

The prognosis of retinal angiopathy depends on the cause of the complication, as well as on the stage at which treatment of the pathological process in the eyes is started.

• In the diabetic type, it is important to maintain the patient's condition in the norm and monitor the blood glucose level. Then vascular disorders may not progress, and the condition of the retina will stabilize.
• In the hypertensive type, measures should be taken to stabilize blood pressure. And also lead a healthy lifestyle, which helps to minimize the manifestations of hypertension.
• In the traumatic type, it is important to treat the consequences of the injury and periodically undergo maintenance vascular therapy. In this case, angiopathy will stop progressing and the patient's condition will improve.
• In case of hypotonic angiopathy, it is important to take measures to increase pressure and treat arterial hypertension. Only in this case the patient can not worry about the deterioration of the eye condition.
• In the juvenile form, unfortunately, the patient's condition will constantly worsen. The progression of the disease can be slowed down by using complex therapy, which must be carried out regularly. A healthy lifestyle and following the recommendations of specialists are also important.

If no measures are taken to treat the underlying disease, as well as to improve the condition of the blood vessels, then myopia may progress to complete loss of vision.

In mild and moderate stages of the underlying disease, complete relief from the symptoms of angiopathy and restoration of health, including visual acuity, is possible with timely initiation of treatment.

A vascular complication that worsens during pregnancy can lead to deterioration of the eye condition. And during childbirth, complete loss of vision is possible. But it is important to remember that preparation for childbirth, a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, a confident psychological attitude, as well as correct behavior during childbirth help to keep vision at the same level as it was before conception. Future mothers should know that in order to preserve vision during childbirth, it is important to be able to relax and relieve muscle tension in order to ensure pain relief during labor and the absence of stress on the eye vessels. Although, of course, in particularly sensitive cases, a cesarean section is indicated to avoid severe complications.

Usually, most pregnant women experience symptoms of angiopathy on their own after giving birth. Only some women in labor require special treatment.

In newborns, the diagnosis is usually made erroneously. And when they reach, for example, one year of age, it is removed completely.

In the childhood form of the disease, when therapeutic measures are taken on time and correctly, most often the problem goes away forever, and vision is completely restored.

Retinal angiopathy and the army

Young people diagnosed with retinal angiopathy are not always unfit for military service. The army does not consist of completely healthy people, and some mild health disorders do not presume exemption from service in the armed forces.

In some cases, the condition of the eyes of young men does not imply a deterioration in vision with such physical and psychological stress that is mandatory in the army. Therefore, the decision of the medical commission should be made on the fact, in each specific case. In this case, the nature of the disease that provoked the complication, as well as its stage, are taken into account.

Retinal angiopathy is not always a death sentence, in which vision inevitably deteriorates without a chance of recovery. It is important to contact specialists in a timely manner and begin proper treatment when unpleasant symptoms appear. In this case, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the patient's condition and complete restoration of vision.