Chronic uncontrolled hypertension - Fundus

Describe features fundus examination of above.

Answer:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Moderately sustained hypertension (systolic above 160, diastolic above 100 mm Hg) over at least five years stiffens the wall and narrows the lumen of retinal arterioles. Three changes appear through the ophthalmoscope:

• arteriovenous nicking: as the stiffened arteriole crosses a retinal vein, it indents the vein and causes slight deviation in its path. This abnormality should be seen in most of the four to six major arteriovenous crossing points within the posterior retina.
• increase in light reflection from vessel wall: the normally flat red color of the arteriole develops a shiny, glistening reflection. In early stages, this change may be difficult to appreciate but as the vessel wall thickens and the blood column narrows, the reflection shifts toward a bronze color ("copper-wiring") and eventually toward gray ("silver-wiring").
• increased vessel tortuosity: as the retinal arterioles stiffen, they develop loops.