Which sign is commonly seen in hypertensive chorioretinopathy?

Which sign is commonly seen in hypertensive chorioretinopathy?

• A. Retinal hemorrhage
• B. Blindness (sudden)
• C. Hyphema
• D. Retinal detachment (partial or complete)

Answer: (A)

In hypertensive chorioretinopathy, damage to retinal vessels from high blood pressure produces retinal hemorrhages as a common and characteristic finding. These are often flame-shaped hemorrhages in the nerve fiber layer and may be accompanied by cotton-wool spots and disc edema in more severe cases. The hemorrhages reflect rupture of small retinal vessels under elevated pressure, which is why this sign is typically seen. Hyphema (blood in the anterior chamber) isn’t a feature of hypertensive retinopathy and is usually due to trauma or other anterior segment issues. Sudden blindness can occur in malignant hypertension but isn’t the specific sign used to identify hypertensive chorioretinopathy, and retinal detachment is not a typical manifestation of these hypertensive changes.

In hypertensive chorioretinopathy, damage to retinal vessels from high blood pressure produces retinal hemorrhages as a common and characteristic finding. These are often flame-shaped hemorrhages in the nerve fiber layer and may be accompanied by cotton-wool spots and disc edema in more severe cases. The hemorrhages reflect rupture of small retinal vessels under elevated pressure, which is why this sign is typically seen. Hyphema (blood in the anterior chamber) isn’t a feature of hypertensive retinopathy and is usually due to trauma or other anterior segment issues. Sudden blindness can occur in malignant hypertension but isn’t the specific sign used to identify hypertensive chorioretinopathy, and retinal detachment is not a typical manifestation of these hypertensive changes.