Hypertensive and problem with eyesight

Dear Ask The Doctor: For the past nine months or so I have been suffering with very heavy eyes. The symptoms are impaired and blurred vision, quite watery and this causes me to squint. I do use prescription glasses for reading, and last had my eyes tested last September. I do suffer with anxietyand take 40mg of Citalopram daily along with 120mg of Propranolol twice daily. I also have intermittent high blood pressure for which I am having a 24hr monitor fitted at the end of the week. Can you help and advise me please?

Dear Ed: It is most likely that high blood pressure would have affected your eyesight. Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images focus. This eye disease is known as hypertensive retinopathy. The best way to treat changes to the eye like hypertensive retinopathy is to adequately control your blood pressure. I would advise that you see an ophthalmologist for a full eye evaluation to rule out retinopathy.