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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The retina lines the back two-thirds of the eye and is responsible for receiving visual images. Retinopathy means disease of the retina. There are several types of retinopathy but all involve disease of the small retinal blood vessels. Signs of retinopathy (see photograph) can be seen when the retina is viewed through the pupil with an ophthalmoscope. The August 22/29, 2007, issue of JAMA includes an article about management of diabetic retinopathy. This Patient Page is based on one previously published in the January 5, 2005, issue of JAMA.

HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and vascular (blood vessel) diseases can affect the small blood vessels of the retina just as they can affect other blood vessels. Retinopathy may therefore be an indicator of vascular damage elsewhere in the body. Visual changes sometimes develop because of advanced retinopathy and may be a sign of undiagnosed or poorly controlled hypertension. Although rare, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer; Tiffany J. Glass, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

RELATED ARTICLE

Management of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Review
Quresh Mohamed, Mark C. Gillies, and Tien Y. Wong
JAMA. 2007;298(8):902-916.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT