ROLE OF ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

Аннотация

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a central role in the pathophysiology of hypertensive retinopathy, serving as an early marker and a contributing mechanism in the microvascular damage associated with chronic hypertension. This study investigates the correlation between systemic endothelial dysfunction markers—such as nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)—and the progression of hypertensive retinopathy in patients at different stages of arterial hypertension. A total of 120 hypertensive patients were examined using clinical, laboratory, and ophthalmologic methods including fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and measurement of plasma biomarkers. The results demonstrated a strong association between impaired endothelial homeostasis and retinal microangiopathy, confirming that endothelial dysfunction precedes visible retinal changes. Early detection and correction of endothelial dysfunction may thus serve as an effective strategy for preventing or slowing hypertensive retinopathy progression, preserving vision, and reducing cardiovascular risk.