Aplicación práctica de la retinografía en los hipertensos

Eye fundus (EF) examination makes it possible to visualize non-invasively the condition of the retinal vessels. The evidence existing on the significance of these injuries is detailed in this article. Hypertensive retinopathy is generally associated with other injuries of the target organ, mainly left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria and renal dysfunction. Injuries of the EF have a prognostic value of mortality that worsens in advanced retinopathies. Digitalized images of the retinal fundus and computer applications make it possible to obtain more objective and reliable parameters of retinal injuries and clarify the true value of the EF injuries. Correct processing of the images should give preference to integrated corporative computer systems and should also guarantee the confidentiality of the data and images. Although the different international guidelines do not agree when determining who should perform the eye fundus examination, we believe that this examination should be proposed in the initial evaluation of all hypertensive subjects since it makes it possible to discover advanced injuries (exudates and bleedings) that bestow elevated cardiovascular risk and also detect alterations of the artery-vein and arteriovenous crossings ratio that elevate cardiovascular risk. It is a required practice in situations of emergencies in diabetic hypertensive and hypertensive subjects.