How can high blood pressure worsen diabetic eye disease?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, significantly worsens the effects of diabetic eye disease in patients who have both conditions.1

Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the small blood vessels in the retina caused by excess glucose in the blood, which leads to vessel leakage, swelling, and potential obstruction. When hypertension is present, it aggravates these vascular complications. Chronic high blood pressure independently damages retinal vessels, leading to bleeding, swelling, and further vision problems.23

Because both diabetes and hypertension compromise the integrity of the same small blood vessels, their combined impact accelerates the progression of retinal damage. Consequently, controlling high blood pressure is a critical strategy for delaying the onset and progression of these vascular complications.13