Which clinical eye finding is NOT associated with chronic uncontrolled hypertension?

Which clinical eye finding is NOT associated with chronic uncontrolled hypertension?

• A. AV nicking
• B. Copper wire arterioles
• C. Flame-shaped hemorrhages
• D. Microaneurysms

Answer: (D)

Chronic uncontrolled hypertension is known to cause specific changes in the retinal blood vessels, reflecting systemic effects on the cardiovascular system. In the context of ocular findings, AV nicking, copper wire arterioles, and flame-shaped hemorrhages are all directly related to the vascular changes seen in hypertensive retinopathy. AV nicking occurs when the arterioles become narrowed and cause a compression that is observed at the crossing of veins and arteries in the retina. Copper wire arterioles refer to the thickening of the arterial walls, which leads to a distinctive change in the appearance of arterioles on examination. Flame-shaped hemorrhages appear as linear or flame-like shapes in the retina and can occur from the rupture of small vessels due to high pressure. In contrast, microaneurysms are typically associated with diabetic retinopathy rather than hypertension. They represent small outpouchings from the capillaries in the retina and are not a direct consequence of high blood pressure. Therefore, microaneurysms are not associated with chronic uncontrolled hypertension and are, instead, more indicative of diabetes-related vascular changes in the retina. This distinction is crucial for differentiating between underlying causes of retinal findings.

Chronic uncontrolled hypertension is known to cause specific changes in the retinal blood vessels, reflecting systemic effects on the cardiovascular system. In the context of ocular findings, AV nicking, copper wire arterioles, and flame-shaped hemorrhages are all directly related to the vascular changes seen in hypertensive retinopathy.

AV nicking occurs when the arterioles become narrowed and cause a compression that is observed at the crossing of veins and arteries in the retina. Copper wire arterioles refer to the thickening of the arterial walls, which leads to a distinctive change in the appearance of arterioles on examination. Flame-shaped hemorrhages appear as linear or flame-like shapes in the retina and can occur from the rupture of small vessels due to high pressure.

In contrast, microaneurysms are typically associated with diabetic retinopathy rather than hypertension. They represent small outpouchings from the capillaries in the retina and are not a direct consequence of high blood pressure. Therefore, microaneurysms are not associated with chronic uncontrolled hypertension and are, instead, more indicative of diabetes-related vascular changes in the retina. This distinction is crucial for differentiating between underlying causes of retinal findings.