[Hypertensive changes of the fundus].

Systemic hypertension affects approximately 25 % of the population worldwide and is the most important preventable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension-related fundus abnormalities can be classified into hypertensive retinopathy, choroidopathy, and optic neuropathy. Hypertensive retinopathy causes vascular constriction of retinal arterioles and typical fundus findings, such as blot hemorrhages, hard exudates and cotton wool spots resulting from ischemia within the nerve fiber layer. The use of a detailed grading system based on the severity of vascular constriction is not practicable as arteriosclerotic changes are common among elderly people. Therefore, early stages with pure vascular pathology should be differentiated from severe forms of hypertensive retinopathy with parenchymal changes of the fundus. Screening the retina for hypertensive changes is essential in cases of severe systemic hypertension, acute visual impairment, diabetes mellitus and pregnancy.