Normal work of the organs of vision is simply necessary for the full activity of each person. Any problem that reduces visual acuity causes genuine anxiety. Many people, visiting an ophthalmologist, hear a diagnosis such as angiopathy of the retina of one eye or both at once.
Angiopathy of the retina of one eye and both eyes: what is it?
Retinal angiopathy is a pathology associated with impaired ocular vessels. Such a problem in the functioning of the vessels is caused by a change in the tone of the eye capillaries, or by impairments in the nervous regulation of the body.
This pathology is not independent, it always acts as a sign of a serious disease.
Angiopathy can progress, both on the retina of one eye, and immediately on both. But in most cases, this disease affects both organs simultaneously. In one eye, pathology appears only in the case when the cause of its development was not the disease of all the vessels.
According to statistics, angiopathy can develop in an adult, a pregnant woman, and even a child. But mostly people over 30 suffer from this disease.
Causes of Retinal Angiopathy
This disease can cause various pathological conditions of the blood vessels occurring in the human body. Sometimes it is quite difficult to identify the cause of the development of angiopathy. But only when it is detected, the doctor can prescribe an adequate and correct treatment.
The causes of the disease can be:
- diabetes;
- intoxication in the body;
- high blood pressure;
- age hormonal changes;
- high intracranial pressure;
- osteochondrosis of the spine in the cervical region;
- spinal and chest injuries;
- reduced vascular wall tone;
- pathology of the cardiovascular system;
- thrombosis;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- living in adverse climatic conditions;
- work in hazardous production;
- high activity of the immune system;
- congenital malformations of blood vessels;
- effects on the body of radiation or other toxic substances;
- smoking or excessive drinking.
Despite the causes of this pathology of the organs of vision, in any case, it leads to serious consequences. Because of it there is a decrease in visual acuity, and sometimes it leads to complete blindness.
Angiopathy of retinal vessels: types and symptoms
Depending on the pathology that provoked angiopathy, it is divided into several types.
The most common ones are:
- Hypertensive. It is a consequence of regular high blood pressure.
- Diabetic. Angiopathy in this case is a complication of the advanced form of the disease.
- Hypotonic. Associated with impaired tone in the vascular system.
- Premature pregnancy. The damage to the organs of vision is due to the prematurity of the fetus, characterized by severe changes in the retina and vitreous body of the eye.
- Ilza or juvenile disease. The most severe form, is treated only by surgical intervention and is characterized by retinal detachment.
- Traumatic. Appears with a strong strain on the capillaries, the consequence of which is rupture of blood vessels and hemorrhage in the eyes.
- Gestation period At this time, blood circulation in the body increases, which leads to the expansion of retinal capillaries. As a rule, the pathology in this case does not require serious treatment and passes immediately after delivery.
The insidiousness of angiopathy lies in the fact that it is usually asymptomatic and makes itself felt when saving eyesight is an almost insoluble task. In most cases, a person turns for help when the work of his organs of vision gives a noticeable glitch.
But still pathology can be suspected by the following symptoms:
- pain in the eyeball;
- decline in visual acuity;
- nebula when looking at any items;
- the appearance of red eyes, that is, rupture of the eye capillaries;
- black dots or "flies" appear when looking;
- reduction of the field of view;
- bleeding from the nasal cavity;
- throbbing in the eyeballs.
Angiopathy of the retina in the newborn child and older children
This pathology may occur in a newborn baby, and it may even be detected in the maternity hospital.
While in the early postpartum period, angiopathy is not considered a serious disease. But she may end up with a pathological condition at a later period, when the eye fundus is examined by a neurologist.
Independently to make this diagnosis is impossible, since changes in the retina in a newborn child do not always indicate a disease. Such changes in the organs of vision may result from emotional or physical exertion. Usually at this age, angiopathy has a single symptom - the appearance of a red spot in the eyeball.
At the first detection of such a sign should consult an ophthalmologist. He will check the fullness of the eye veins and the correct operation of the eye vessels. Only after these actions can we deny the pathology, or confirm it.
Retinal disease can also be diagnosed in older children. As a rule, it is traumatic in nature, since children are very mobile and often subject to mechanical damage to the cervical or chest. This form of angiopathy is not considered a serious disease, as its symptoms manifest immediately and treatment occurs rather quickly.
But there are more serious forms of angiopathy in children:
- diabetic, the treatment is quite long, as this form is very difficult because it is caused by a malfunction of the pancreas;
- hypertensive, is very rare, since children are practically not affected by increased vascular pressure;
- adolescent, associated with inflammatory processes in the organs of vision, occurs in adolescent children.
The above forms of pathology of the eye vessels are usually quite difficult to detect, they make themselves felt when the child’s vision has already dropped significantly. To treat these types of diseases is very difficult, as a rule, hospitalization is necessary.
Angiopathy of the retina during pregnancy
The period of bearing a child is a wonderful, but difficult period for any woman. At this time there is a strong hormonal failure in the whole body.
To provide the fetus with the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients, the volume of blood in the body of the expectant mother increases significantly.
Due to such a change, the walls of blood vessels expand quite strongly, which in principle leads to angiopathy of the retina during pregnancy.
As a rule, such a pathological state of the organs of vision is considered temporary and passes over time without causing harm to the health of the fetus and mother.
But still such a problem during this period may pose a threat. In any case, there is a possibility that a blood vessel may burst.
In this regard, when such a disease is detected in a pregnant woman, doctors put her on the dispensary account and monitor the condition of the eye capillaries. It should be remembered that in such a case natural childbirth is prohibited, a woman is under caesarean section.
Possible complications
Complications occur with improper treatment, or his absence.
Complications include:
- full or partial blindness;
- narrowing of the visual field;
- atrophy of the optic nerve.
Complications of angiopathy are quite serious, and sometimes simply incurable. In order to prevent their development, it is necessary to consult a specialist in time.
Treatment: medication, drops, physiotherapy
In any form of the disease, the doctor prescribes medications that stabilize blood circulation in the organs of vision.
To normalize the work of the eye capillaries prescribed:
- Medication: Solcoseryl, Trental, Arbiflex, Mildronat. These drugs improve the microcirculation of the eye vessels.
- Eye drops: "Taufon", "Emoksipin". Regenerative processes occurring in the tissues of the visual organs are restored.
- Physiotherapy: laser irradiation, color therapy, pneumomassage, acupuncture. According to statistics, this treatment brings good results, often used in conjunction with medical treatment.
It should be remembered that the treatment of this disease is primarily aimed at eliminating its cause. In any case, the doctor prescribes treatment depending on the pathology that provoked angiopathy. Of course, each specialist prescribes drugs that strengthen the vascular walls and raise their tone.
Treatment of folk remedies
In retinal angiopathy, doctors strongly recommend using traditional medicine in addition to the main treatment. Treatment of eye pathology at home implies the cleaning of blood vessels and the restoration of their elasticity.
When making this diagnosis, you will be helped by such popular methods as:
- Herbal: from horsetail and hawthorn, Valerian and lemon balm, chamomile and St. John's wort, yarrow and birch buds. Excellent remove the deposited salts and cholesterol plaques from the body, restore blood flow.
- Infusions: from dill seeds, cumin seeds, blue cornflower. Improve the elasticity of blood vessels in the body.
- Teas: black currant, rowan leaves. Maintain normal vascular tone.
It should be remembered that such treatment is possible on prescription and in the absence of allergic reactions to the above components.
Army service with retinal angiopathy
Unfortunately, the army consists of people who are far from perfect health. Young men who have angiopathy of the retina are not exempt from conscription, since this disease is not in the list of diseases precluding service in the army.
Of course, young men may be declared unfit for military service. This occurs in the case when the nature and stage of comorbidities are in a severe, neglected state. The decision before calling for service is made by the medical commission on the basis of research on the patient’s health.
Preventive measures
Undoubtedly, the appearance of such a disease causes tremendous discomfort, because it overcomes one of the most important organs of perception - the eyes.
To avoid this problem, the following preventive measures should be observed:
- observe eye hygiene;
- choose a good workplace lighting;
- prevent high blood pressure;
- timely treat pathologies in the body;
- be in favorable climatic conditions;
- avoid working in hazardous occupations;
- do exercises for the visual organs.
Do not neglect the implementation of these recommendations, as it is much easier to prevent overcoming the ailment of an organism than to achieve recovery.
In conclusion, I would like to note that angiopathy is a serious disease that requires timely treatment. While the pathological process has not become irreversible, there is an opportunity to correct the state of the visual organs and not get complete blindness. Watch your body and be healthy!
Additional information about angiopathy is in the following video.
