This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Classification of hypertensive retinopathy

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Modern practice classifies changes into two groups:

  • compensated hypertensive retinopathy - groups 1 and 2 in older sources:
    • arteriolar changes - mild, generalised attenuation; increased tortuosity; increased opacity with resultant heightened light reflex - "copper" or "silver" wiring
    • plus constriction of veins at the arteriovenous crossings - "AV nipping"

  • accelerated hypertensive retinopathy - groups 3 and 4 in older sources:
    • cotton wool spots (retinal infarcts due to pre - capillary closure), flame haemorrhages, and hard exudates - may surround the macula forming a partial or complete "star"
    • papilloedema and often, retinal oedema at the posterior pole of the eye. Visual impairment accompanies macula involvement.

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page