Do angiographic data support a detailed classification of hypertensive fundus changes?

Circulatory parameters in the retrobulbar central retinal artery and vein of patients with diabetes and medically treated systemic hypertension

“…Significantly decreased retinal capillary blood flow velocity and capillary density was reported in hypertensive patients that had stages 1 and 2 of hypertonic fundus compared to normotensive subjects [17]. Patients with hypertonic fundus in stages 3 and 4 had significantly decreased capillary flow velocity and capillary density compared to those in stages 1 and 2 [18]. The retrobulbar blood flow studies were consistent with these findings [7,8].…”

“…However, in nondiabetic patients with hypertension, the circulatory parameters were reported to be significantly lower than in control subjects [7,8,17,18]. Significantly decreased retinal capillary blood flow velocity and capillary density was reported in hypertensive patients that had stages 1 and 2 of hypertonic fundus compared to normotensive subjects [17].…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypertensive Retinopathy in Hypertensive Patients

“…Because of the high prevalence of this condition and the increased morbidity and mortality associated with this condition, the economic cost of hypertensive disease was estimated at $76.6 billion in 2010 [5]. Eyes are proven hypertensive target organs [6]. The clinical importance of cardiovascular risk factors staging in hypertensive patients is based on retinopathy changes [7].…”

Hypertension and the eye: changing perspectives

“…46 The significant angiographic differences in the density of the perifoveal capillaries and capillary blood velocity between mild and severe forms of hypertensive retinopathy correlate with a two-grade rather than four-grade classification system. 47 …”