High blood pressure is well known for its detrimental effects on the heart and blood vessels, but it can also negatively impact your eyes. More specifically, high blood pressure may cause eye floaters that appear as tiny dots moving across your field of vision.

If you detect floaters, get an immediate dilated eye exam.

Causes

The retina is sensitive and susceptible to changes in blood pressure. When high blood pressure causes retinal blood vessels to narrow or restrict flow, retinopathy occurs, often manifested by floaters and other symptoms. Left untreated, this can damage retinal cells permanently – often leading to severe vision loss with symptoms like blurred vision, floaters and an uncomfortable pressure behind eyes. Lifestyle modifications or medication are usually sufficient treatment solutions.

Eye floaters are small clumps of gel or cells that appear in the center of one’s field of vision and may take the form of dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs. They become most visible when looking at blank walls or blue skies and should eventually fade with time. Although floaters usually pose no health risks to most individuals they can be annoying for some and should eventually dissipate over time.

Any individual experiencing sudden and unexplained floaters should consult an ophthalmologist immediately, to rule out vitreous haemorrhage – when blood enters the clear jelly (vitreous humour) filling most of their eyeball. Some small bleeds will usually go away after some weeks or months; other more serious ones could result in complete visual loss as light cannot pass through to reach their retinas.

Floaters can also be an indication of Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). PVD occurs when collagen protein in the vitreous liquefies and begins to shrink, pulling on retinal tears that lead to retinal detachments where retina separates from back of eye. PVD tends to affect those over 50 but can affect anyone at any age; most commonly found among people over 50 but can affect anyone regardless. Normally floaters related to PVD do not pose major difficulties; however patients should remain alert and watchful for warning signs that may indicate retinal tears such as sudden worsening of floaters, flashes of light or loss of vision felt as though curtains have been pulled across their field of vision – these could all indicate retinal tear present and should alert their patients regarding possible warning signs that could indicate retinal tear present such as sudden worsening of floaters, flashes of light or any reduction of vision experienced when switching off lights are switched off or an optical nerve damage occurs; usually these symptoms do not indicate serious issues related to PVD; however patients should remain aware that may signal retinal tears are present such as sudden worsening worsening of floaters, flashes of light being pulled across their field of vision being drawn across this may indicate tears present and prompt further investigation if necessary a retinal tear present e.

Symptoms

High blood pressure affects more than just the heart and blood vessels – it also has serious repercussions for our eyes. Untreated hypertension can damage retinas, leading to floaters. Their severity will depend on your level of control so it is crucial that you visit with your physician regularly for monitoring and review.

Eye floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells that float inside your eye, appearing as dots, wavy lines, cobwebs or clouds. They become most evident against plain backgrounds like walls or blue skies; head movement also heightens visibility. While usually harmless, eye floaters should be taken seriously if suddenly appearing in large numbers with flashes of light or other symptoms that disrupt vision such as flashing lights or vision issues; otherwise it is wise to see your doctor for assessment.

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), or blocked main retinal vein, is often to blame for high blood pressure eye floaters. This condition occurs when one of the main veins in your retina — light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that’s essential to seeing — becomes blocked, leading to abnormal, fragile new blood vessels growing outward from it and bleeding into vitreous humour (an eye’s clear jelly), creating red-tinged floaters which interfere with vision and become visible.

Macular hemorrhage caused by retinal tears or detachments can also contribute to high blood pressure eye floaters, and this can be caused by diabetes, surgery, severe blows to the eye or hypertension – thus stressing how important it is for individuals with high blood pressure and other risk factors to keep their blood pressure under control.

On the plus side, you can successfully avoid high blood pressure eye floaters by eating healthily, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol and salt intake. Furthermore, regular eye exams with your physician can detect potential issues before they worsen into serious issues.

Treatment

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, known as retinopathy. Symptoms may include blurry vision, eye floaters, and flashes of light. While hypertension may increase vision loss risk, diet and medications can help control it to reduce it significantly. Regular eye exams with both your doctor and an ophthalmologist can also be essential in diagnosing hypertensive retinopathy early.

Floaters are small clumps of gel or cells within your vitreous, which is the jelly-like substance that fills your eye, that move in your field of vision and cast shadows on your retina. Although frustrating, floaters usually don’t pose any long-term danger and will eventually vanish on their own; if however you see new floaters accompanied by flashes of light or tears that lead to permanent blindness it is wise to contact your physician immediately as this could indicate retinal detachment or tear that could potentially result in permanent blindness requiring treatment by an eye doctor immediately!

Hemorrhages of the retina may also cause flashes and floaters. These could be the result of blocked blood vessels, high blood pressure, diabetes or injury resulting in blood leaking into the vitreous, which then contracts and shrinks over time causing retinal tears or tears in its path – this condition known as vitreous haemorrhage requires prompt medical treatment and should never be ignored.

If you have a retinal tear or detachment, treatment can be challenging and may involve surgery. A laser known as the YAG laser may help seal any bleeding in the vitreous or retina, helping alleviate symptoms. Because not everyone may qualify for this option, we advise speaking to an ophthalmologist about all your available choices.

Silicone oil bubbles injected during certain surgical procedures may also help remove floaters. The International Ophthalmic Floater Society (IOFS), founded in 2016, seeks to study and promote this method as it holds promise of drastically decreasing both number and severity of floaters in patients, according to Singh. The Society believes it could become mainstream practice due to its potential to significantly decrease patients’ floater prevalence rates.

Prevention

Floaters, often seen as black dots, lines, circles or cobwebs floating in the eye, become particularly noticeable against plain backgrounds such as walls or sky. Although they do not indicate serious health concerns and should dissipate over time; if light flashes or veil covering vision accompany the appearance of floaters then this indicates retinal tears which require immediate treatment.

Vitreous humor fills most of your eyeball and, when compromised by bleeding, can lead to floaters in vision. While normally devoid of blood vessels and smooth in appearance, conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can induce blood haemorrhages into this gel-like substance and create haemorrhages within it that lead to dark shadows in vision or retinal detachment.

Prevention is key when it comes to floaters. Maintaining good eye health habits such as limiting screen usage and eating plenty of leafy greens and fish are vital. Furthermore, regular eye exams should be scheduled in order to monitor your vision.