Diary 20: Hypertension and Eye Disease

31 Jan 2010. Have you ever realized that hypertension (or high blood pressure) can lead to eye disease? If you do not, it is good for you to learn something more on this matter. If you visit the clinics and hospitals, you probably find poster linking hypertension to eye diseases. The following case of a family member may be a good lesson to share with all of you.

The hypertension patient: aged 73, female, 16 years of hypertension (since early 1990s).

Treatment: regular medical checkup as advised by the government medical doctors.

Modern medicine taken: high blood pressure pills prescribed.

Herbal medicine: occasionally take self-prepared herbal tea.

Progress: The first 10 years, high blood pressure is under controlled.

2009: Had eye diseases and operated left eye to have clear vision. Eye sight did not improve much. Probably go for another operation in 2010.

2010: Had right eye operated at the private hospital. Looks OK and still under observation.
Current dilemma faced: Seek medical treatment from a government hospital and a private hospital where the doctors have different views on treatment and operations. The private specialist said her right eye needs no further treatment but the specialist at the government hospital has different view. Her eyes itched for two days and she stopped applying the eye lotions prescribed.

What do you think is the cause of your hypertension? The patient told me that she is facing more social pressure than anything else. She worries over small matters and indecisive when coming to making decision. When she visits the government clinic and hospital, she worries a lot before even meeting the medical staffs. Even though her self-examination shows hypertension is under control, but when she is at the clinic or hospital an hour later, her blood pressure rises.

Why do you continue taking medicine if the cause lies in social tension? The answer is given is this would ensure that she receives regular medical check-up from the government hospital.

I have nothing else to say to her. That is her choice in life. I wish her best health and she has to prepare for the worst in the eventuality. Her lack of confidence has resulted in her barking at the wrong target when coming to handling hypertension and eye disease.