Ophthalmology

Circulatory disorder of the eye

definition

With a circulatory disorder of the eye - usually the retina (retina) or the optic nerve, patients' eyesight deteriorates rapidly without pain. It is important to react immediately, as the nerve cells in the eye can only survive for about an hour if the vessel is completely closed.

root cause

The main causes of circulatory disorders in the eye are high blood pressure and diabetes, which are very common diseases in industrialized countries and are often caused by obesity (Obesity), caused by an improper high-fat diet and lack of exercise. High blood pressure is very treacherous because many people affected do not even notice that they are suffering from high blood pressure and that this can damage the cardiovascular system for so many years without being noticed. The vessels become more and more rigid and rigid over time and increasingly thicken as much more blood is pumped through them and gradually the blood vessels then narrow, sometimes so far that there is a complete occlusion.

These vascular changes are summarized under the term atherosclerosis. If the blood vessels constrict or even blockage occurs, the organ to be supplied, such as the eyes, for example, can no longer be supplied with sufficient blood or not at all. High blood pressure increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack significantly. In addition to the vessels, the heart is also affected.

Due to the increased pumping, the wall of the left ventricle thickens and becomes more and more rigid. There are two different forms of diabetes mellitus, but overall too little insulin is produced so that the blood sugar level rises.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is usually referred to as the congenital type. The disease usually begins in childhood or adolescence and is immunological. This means that the body's own antibodies are directed against the cells that produce insulin. The pancreas can then no longer produce insulin.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the body develops resistance to insulin, which results from the fact that the body has produced large amounts of insulin for years. The more sugar there is in the blood, the more insulin is needed and at some point the cells can no longer produce enough or are exhausted. In the case of type 2 diabetes, one also speaks of age-related diabetes, which is mainly caused by obesity, lack of exercise, poor, fatty and sugary diet. Unfortunately, more and more children and adolescents suffer from the symptoms mentioned and have a wrong way of life, so that one can no longer only speak of adult diabetes.

But there is also the possibility of gestational diabetes, which can occur in the mother during pregnancy. It is hormonal and makes the body insensitive to insulin. Once the pregnancy is over, the sugar levels return to normal.

Another cause is hypercholesterolemia, which is also usually caused by an incorrect lifestyle such as a high-fat diet and too little exercise. But there is also the possibility that high cholesterol levels can be passed on.

Amaurosis fugax

In amaurosis fugax, the affected eye is temporarily completely darkened. The reason is a circulatory disorder in the arteries of the retina. Although symptoms are temporary, they should be interpreted as a serious warning of serious illness. For example, the cause can lie in the carotid artery, which affects not only the eye but also brain areas from the reduced blood flow.

Symptoms

A circulatory disorder of the retina of the eye can lead to severe visual damage and blindness. These pronounced and severe visual impairments arise mainly when the blood flow to the retina and / or the blood flow to the optic nerve are disturbed. As the disease progresses, it can lead to circulatory disorders in the whole body, causing strokes, heart attacks and infestation of the other eye.

The most important symptom, however, is the painlessness. The eyesight continues to decrease, but completely painless for the person concerned. One can see differences in the various affected regions. If a sudden, drastic painless visual impairment occurs in the eye, which can affect only part of the visual field, an artery that supplies the sensory cells of the retina is usually affected.

If the upper or lower half of the visual field is particularly affected, the optic nerve and its supplying arteries are usually impaired by a circulatory disorder. In addition to the arteries, the veins (draining vessels) can also be affected by an occlusion. The patients usually notice this, as a kind of veil covers the field of vision.

Visual disturbances

The rays of light from our surroundings, which enter the eye through the pupil, hit the retina at the back of the eye. There, cells perceive the light rays and then send a signal via the optic nerve to the visual cortex. The brain then compiles an image from these individual signals.

If the cells of the retina are damaged by a circulatory disorder, the brain receives an incomplete picture. This manifests itself in visual disturbances such as blind spots. Sometimes the brain interprets something into these blind spots, which suddenly makes you see something that doesn't exist.

Eye flicker

Eye flicker, also known as flickering scotoma, is a visual disorder in which there is failure or disturbance of perception in the field of vision. For example, flashes of light can spread or there is a noise that is reminiscent of a snowstorm.

These failures are particularly dangerous in road traffic when driving. The circulatory disorder of the eye, which can cause small defects in the retina, is a possible cause of the fibrillation of the eyes. Stress, a lack of nutrients, diseases of the optic nerve and disorders of the brain function can also trigger a ciliated scotoma.

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Flashes of light

Lightning can have various causes, such as migraines. Especially in migraines with aura, which is a special form of migraine, the patient may initially perceive light impulses. Most of the time, the lightning bolts travel before the headache that is typical of migraines begins.

If mechanical irritation is exerted on the retina, it is usually due to the presence of scars in the eye or age-related shrinkage of the vitreous humor. The reaction here is not with pain, as usual, but with the emission of light pulses such as lightning. If the ophthalmologist is not consulted as soon as possible, the retinal detachment can occur, which is an enormous danger to the eyes and vision.

If the causes are left untreated, the patient can lose sight. If a hole has formed in the retina, it is similar to a retinal detachment and must be examined and treated appropriately by the ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Other causes can be that the blood pressure is too high or too low, with strong intraocular pressure, increased pressure on the eye and circulatory disorders in the brain.

If there is a circulatory disorder in the brain, especially if there is insufficient blood flow, the patient usually faints. This often does not happen immediately, but with an intermediate phase in which those affected perceive hallucinations, which can also be optical in nature and cause lightning.

Many of these causes are very dangerous to the eye and vision. For example, when the retina is detached, it is important to react as quickly as possible in order to avoid blindness or permanent visual damage and the associated impairments. The retina (retina) is a very complex and important part of the human eye.

In addition to lightning, there are other light phenomena in the eye such as luminous zigzag patterns, bright points of light, rings of light around light sources and bright spots. All of these mentioned light phenomena can occur in the course of one of the causes mentioned above.

Double vision

If you see double images, this is usually due to a malregulation of the image processing. Images are sent from both eyes to the visual cortex in the brain. There they are usually processed in such a way that they are perceived as just an image. When seeing double images, the cause is therefore usually not a circulatory disorder of the eye itself, rather the visual cortex is affected by such a circulatory disorder.

migraine

For many people, migraines have several phases. Before the actual headache typical of migraine occurs, around 15 to 20% of those affected perceive visual disturbances. These visual disturbances are also called aura. This creates a so-called scotoma, for example, in which the person concerned can no longer perceive a certain spot in the field of vision. Sometimes even half of the field of view is affected. Misperceptions such as seeing additional structures are also possible.

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Therapy / treatment

It is important that the Causes like diabetes and high blood pressure are treatedso that there is no occlusion of the vessels or constriction in the first place. At Diabetes mellitus Affected mostly have to Inject insulinto make up for the lack of insulin production. In addition, the Controlled sugar levels become.

At high blood pressure there are corresponding Medicationthat can be administered to the Lower blood pressure. Here is one too regular control in the form of blood pressure measurements required. However, it is important that those affected, in addition to the medical forms of treatment, also have their Change lifestyle and adjust accordingly, like more Exercise and a healthier and more balanced diet. It can still be targeted for Circulatory disorders Medicines are administered when the Circulatory disorders in the eye, however, too advanced there is often only one help surgery.

homeopathy

There are some remedies for circulatory disorders in the homeopathic / phytotherapeutic (herbal medicine) area, which are usually prescribed in addition to other conventional medical treatments.

Homeopathic remedies are particularly popular in the early stages. The following medicines come into question: Kreosotum (beech wood tar), Secale cornutum (ergot), Espeletia grandiflora, Tabacum (tobacco), Abrotanum (rowan tree) and Allium Ursinum.

Abrotanum is mainly used against numbness, tingling and pain caused by damage to the blood vessels. The symptoms are usually aggravated by cold or wet conditions. Abrotanum is taken in the form of drops.

Tabacum (tobacco) mainly helps with the following symptoms: numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, as well as feeling cold, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and poor circulation. Usually the symptoms worsen through exercise and warmth, and an improvement occurs through fresh air and rest. It is taken in the form of drops.

Espeletia grandiflora is particularly effective against angina pectoris attacks and circulatory disorders in the legs. Here, too, warmth intensifies symptoms and fresh air and rest improve the symptoms.

Secale cornutum (ergot) requires a prescription. For example, it is prescribed for symptoms such as poor blood circulation with burning and numbness, mainly caused by cramps. Secale cornutum is also very suitable for narrowing the small vessels on the fingers and toes. Again, warmth and exercise give worsening symptoms. Those affected usually have pale sallow skin and dark eye rims.

Beech tar, also available on prescription, is primarily effective for ulcers that heal poorly, are moist and itchy. In contrast to the above-mentioned herbs, the symptoms are aggravated by cold and calm.

Allium ursinum is usually given as a preventive measure in the event of a disposition for arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Ammi visnaga is also particularly suitable for atherosclerosis.

Anyone who takes homeopathic remedies should also inform their attending physician so that the other medications and homeopathic treatment can be coordinated with one another.

Course of disease

A circulatory disorder in the eye is usually not immediately noticeable. Usually, individual parts of the retina, for example, are damaged first, but this can be compensated for by the surrounding cells. Occasionally, visual disturbances occur in the early stages of the circulatory disorder. These should be understood as a clear warning signal.

In the course of time, eyesight continues to decline. How quickly this happens and whether the process can be reversed depends heavily on the point in time at which the circulatory disorder is recognized and treated. The underlying disease also plays an important role.

forecast

The prognosis of a circulatory disorder in the eye varies widely. If it is recognized and treated at an early stage, the process can often be slowed down or even stopped and in some cases recently lost functions of the eye can be restored.

In general, however, diseases that cause circulatory disorders are chronic diseases. Possible causes are, for example, arteriosclerosis, in which limescale is deposited in the vessels.This can be contained temporarily, but the disease progresses over time, so that the blood flow to the eye worsens.