With retinal angiopathy, a change in small vessels and a violation of normal microcirculation are observed. Such a disease can be caused by various factors, including innervation disorders and changes in blood flow. But in any case, if untreated, the disease affects the work of the visual analyzer, leading to myopia and even tissue dystrophy.
The main causes of retinal angiopathy
To date, there are many reasons for the violation of the normal structure of the vascular network. In some cases, angiopathy is only a symptom of another disease - this, for example, is often observed in diabetes mellitus.
Violation of the outflow of blood from capillaries and small vessels can indicate both a lesion of the visual analyzer itself and the presence of certain problems with the circulatory system. In particular, such a change often occurs against the background of hypertension or, conversely, lowered blood pressure.
Risk factors can also include impaired functioning of certain centers of the brain responsible for maintaining the normal tone of the wall of small vessels. In addition, angiopathy can develop against a background of increased intracranial pressure, as well as with some blood diseases. The cause of the development of such a pathology can be injuries or diseases of the spine, in particular, of the cervical spine, as this often causes pinching of blood vessels carrying blood to the head. Retinal angiopathy in a child may result from a head injury during childbirth.
Smoking, the use of certain drugs and narcotic substances, poisoning of the body with hazardous substances, work at work, old age - all this can be attributed to the causes of pathological changes in the vessels of the eye.
Retinal Angiopathy: Symptoms of the Disease
In fact, such a disease is rarely accompanied by any visible symptoms, so patients do not always go to the doctor on time. Of course, during an ophthalmological examination, it is not difficult to notice a change in the vascular wall. With retinal angiopathy, there is a change in the size and shape of small vessels, in particular, their thickening or thinning, tortuosity, or blockage.
As for external symptoms, patients often complain of discomfort and rapid eye fatigue. In some forms of the disease, for example, with hypertensive angiopathy, spot hemorrhages can be seen on the sclera of the eye .
Retinal Angiopathy Treatment
In fact, therapy in this case is a rather long and difficult process. First of all, the doctor must find out what are the causes of the appearance of angiopathy, and eliminate them. For example, with hyper- or hypotension, the patient is prescribed drugs that normalize blood pressure, and with diabetes, the correct diet is extremely important.
Nevertheless, patients with impaired choroid are prescribed special drugs that activate blood circulation in the eyeball, improve trophic tissue and saturate them with enough oxygen. Trental and Mildronal are considered quite effective. It is also important to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition and to avoid foods rich in cholesterol. Regular, but moderate physical activity will also have a positive effect on health. Special vitamin complexes, in particular, Anthocyan Forte and Lutein Complex, will also be useful.
In the presence of severe injuries or blockage of small vessels, ophthalmologists use laser therapy methods.