[Limited value of ophthalmoscopy in arterial hypertension].
The background for the ophthalmoscopic classification of retinal changes in arterial hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy grade I-IV is summarised. It is concluded that ophthalmoscopy has no significance for the diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension in persons older than 40-50 years. In future, computerized image analysis of digital images of the retina might be used as a marker of cardiovascular and other systemic risk factors. However, this epidemiological tool has no predictive value for the individual patient. Hopefully, this paper may contribute to a limited number of superfluous referrals for ophthalmological examinations.
Øjenafdelingen, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. toke.bek@mail.tele.dk
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D000328:Adult; D001160:Arterioles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D058437:Hypertensive Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography