Heart disease and problems with your cardiovascular system can sometimes be connected to issues with your eyes and vision. Understanding the link between heart health and eye health is important for managing both effectively.
How are the heart and eyes connected?
The heart and eyes are connected through blood vessels. The retina, a layer of tissue at the back of the eye that senses light and enables sight, requires a rich blood supply to function. The retinal blood vessels stem from the ophthalmic artery, which branches off from a major artery carrying blood from the heart.
If the cardiovascular system is damaged or diseased, it can disrupt normal blood flow to the retina and cause eye problems. Some of the ways heart problems can affect the eyes include:
- Atherosclerosis – Hardening and narrowing of arteries from fatty plaque buildup
- High blood pressure (hypertension) – Excessive pressure against artery walls
- Blood clots – Clots blocking blood flow through vessels
- Diabetes – Damage to small blood vessels throughout the body
These cardiovascular conditions limit the oxygen and nutrients that reach the retina, putting vision at risk.
Common eye disorders linked to heart disease
Here are some of the most frequent eye problems that can occur with heart disease:
Retinopathy
Retinopathy refers to damage to the retina from poor blood flow. It can progress from mild to vision-threatening:
- Diabetic retinopathy – Diabetes harms the small vessels around the retina. Early signs include small hemorrhages and swelling. Without treatment, new abnormal blood vessels can grow and lead to scarring and loss of sight.
- Hypertensive retinopathy – High blood pressure strains the smaller arteries in the retina. Symptoms may start with arteriolar narrowing, flame-shaped hemorrhages, and cotton wool spots (ischemia).
Retinal artery occlusion
A blockage or blood clot in the retinal artery reduces blood supply to the retina. This can cause sudden, painless vision loss. The two types are:
- Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) – A branch of the retinal artery is obstructed, affecting only a part of the retina.
- Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) – The main retinal artery is blocked, damaging the entire retina.
Retinal vein occlusion
Clotting, inflammation, or vessel compression can block blood drainage through retinal veins. Symptoms may include bleeding, swelling, and vision changes. The types are:
- Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) – One of the smaller retinal veins is obstructed.
- Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) – The main retinal vein is blocked.
Ocular ischemic syndrome
This rare condition stems from severe carotid artery disease limiting blood flow to the eyes. Symptoms may involve chronic retinal ischemia, eye pain, corneal swelling, and glaucoma.
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)
Fluid buildup under the retina causes vision distortion. It has links to high cortisol and stress, which can affect heart function.
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION)
Also called a “mini-stroke of the eye,” AION is caused by a temporary lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. It leads to sudden, painless vision loss.
Risk factors for heart-related eye disease
You may have an increased risk of developing eye problems from heart disease if you have:
- Cardiovascular conditions like coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, or cardiomyopathy
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Smoking or obesity
- Advanced age
- Family history of eye disorders or heart disease
- History of stroke or mini-stroke
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic kidney disease
Symptoms of heart-related eye disorders
Some signs that your eyes may be affected by heart problems include:
- Sudden changes in vision – Blurry vision, floaters, partial vision loss
- Flickering lights
- Eye pain or redness
- Halos around light
- Difficulty distinguishing colors
- Dark or empty areas in vision field
- Dry eyes or excessive tearing
- Dilated pupils
- Spots or spiderweb shapes in vision
Eye symptoms like these can sometimes occur before other signs of heart disease. So getting an eye exam promptly at the first changes in vision is important.
Can eye exams detect heart problems?
Comprehensive eye exams can sometimes detect circulatory system issues before you have heart symptoms. Retinal imaging and eye vessel analysis allow eye doctors to view the tiny blood vessels at the back of your eye.
Abnormal changes in retinal vessels may indicate you are at higher risk for stroke, heart attack, hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Your eye doctor may recommend further testing and inform your primary doctor of potential underlying health issues if they spot these retinal signs.
Diagnosing heart-related eye disease
To diagnose eye conditions related to heart problems, your ophthalmologist will likely:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Check your vision and pressure inside your eyes
- Examine your eyes with specialized instruments for a closer view
- Dilate your pupils to inspect the retina and optic nerve
- Take retinal photographs to monitor eye vessel abnormalities
- Perform visual field testing to map your peripheral and central vision
- Order other imaging tests like optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, or ocular ultrasound
Based on the results, your eye doctor can determine if you have any signs of inadequate blood flow or damage to the eyes that may require treatment.
Treating eye problems related to heart disease
Specific treatment will depend on the type and severity of the eye condition. Steps to manage heart-related eye problems may include:
- Improving systemic health through heart-healthy lifestyle changes and better control of conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
- Medications to thin the blood, lower blood pressure, or treat inflammation
- Procedures to open up blocked vessels like carotid endarterectomy or coronary angioplasty
- Injections into the eye like anti-VEGF drugs to inhibit abnormal blood vessels
- Retina or optic nerve laser treatment to prevent vision loss
- Surgical procedures like vitrectomy or cataract surgery, if bleeding, scarring, or clouding occurs
Prompt treatment is key to maximizing your eye health and vision outcomes. Make sure to see both your cardiologist and ophthalmologist regularly for optimal prevention and care.
How to keep your eyes and heart healthy
You can take proactive steps to maintain the health of both your eyes and your cardiovascular system by:
- Eating a nutritious diet low in sodium and saturated fat
- Exercising regularly to maintain healthy circulation
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol
- Controlling conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure
- Reducing stress
- Getting regular heart and eye health check-ups
- Reporting any sudden vision changes promptly
- Wearing sunglasses to shield eyes from UV rays
Following healthy lifestyle habits and getting preventive care can help reduce your risks of eye disorders and heart disease.
The future of heart-eye disease detection
Advanced eye imaging and analysis technologies are making it easier to identify subtle retinal signs of cardiovascular issues. Some examples include:
- OCT angiography – Detailed 3D imaging of the retinal vasculature using optical coherence tomography techniques.
- Artificial intelligence – Computer algorithms can map, measure, and track retinal vessel abnormalities over time.
- Big data – Population databases of retinal images help predict cardiovascular risks earlier.
These innovations will allow doctors to find eye indications of heart problems at the earliest stages. This can guide preventive treatment before significant damage occurs.
Conclusion
The heart and eyes share key connections through blood vessels and circulation. Many common eye disorders like retinopathy stem from underlying cardiovascular issues. Paying attention to changes in vision and getting regular eye exams can sometimes detect heart problems before other symptoms arise.
Managing heart health with diet, exercise, and medical care helps lower risks of associated vision loss. Work closely with both your cardiologist and ophthalmologist for optimal prevention and treatment of heart-related eye disease. Advancements in retinal imaging and screening technology are also improving early detection for better outcomes.