A correlative study of ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography in systemic hypertension

This study correlates the fundus signs with the severity and signs of hypertension and evaluates the role of fluorescein angiography in detecting changes in the retinal and choroidal capillary bed in hypertension and defines its advantages over direct ophthalmoscopy. 37 hypertensives belonging to all grades of hypertension were studied. A thorough physical examination, hypertension work up, direct ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography was done in all cases. A significant association was found between the presence of marked arteriolar narrowing and the presence of severe hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and cardiomegaly. Patients having definite arterio-venous crossing changes and exudative retinopathy had a higher incidence of LVH and cardiomegaly. Renal functions and neurological signs in hypertension showed no correlation with the fundus signs. Capillary bed and choriodal abnormalities could be better studied on fluorescein angiography. Hard exudates were not visualized on fluorescein angiography. There was total resolution of exudative phenomenon on treatment.