Final answer:
Hypertension can cause hypertensive retinopathy and contribute to glaucoma by exerting excessive force on the retina and optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Controlling blood pressure is essential to prevent eye damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of hypertension on the eyes is significant as it can lead to hypertensive retinopathy, which is damage to the retina caused by high blood pressure. This condition can result in vision impairment and even blindness. The high blood pressure strains the delicate blood vessels in the retina, leading to their narrowing, bleeding, or rupturing, and may cause swelling of the retina or optic nerve. Additionally, hypertension can contribute to the development of glaucoma, a condition characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. It is vital to control blood pressure to prevent such target organ damage in the eyes.
To illustrate the force involved in conditions like glaucoma, imagine a 680-g mass exerting force on the eye, which is enough to cause damage if the normal intraocular pressure is exceeded. In people with high intraocular pressure, the eye deforms less and rebounds more, hinting at potential glaucomatous damage. Therefore, regular testing for intraocular pressure is recommended, particularly for individuals over 40 years old.