Hypertension in middle-aged men may negatively modify vision-associated neuronal function.

According to Dr. Saadia Rashid, an ophthalmologist from Montefiore Medical Center in New York, damage to certain parts of the eye that occurs as a result of high blood pressure could ultimately lead to vision loss amd impaired color vision could be a sign of future problems related to high blood pressure.

The researchers sought to investigate the association between blood pressure levels and prevalence of acquired color vision impairment in middle-aged Japanese men.

They recruited men ages 20 to 60 years old who were on active duty in the Japanese Self Defense Force in Kyoto.
Participants underwent color vision testing, ophthalmological examination, standardized interview, physical record examination, and venous blood examination. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were determined based on blood and physical examination results and the interview. Logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting for body mass index, systemic dyslipidemia, diabetes, cataract, glaucoma, smoking status, and drinking status.

Of 1,042 men, 872 were eligible for the study, 130 failed the Lanthony 15-hue desaturated panel (D-15 DS) diagnosed as acquired color vision impairment 15-hue, and 31 failed the Farnsworth–Munsell 100-hue test diagnosed as acquired color vision impairment 100-hue. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with both acquired color vision impairment in 100-hue patients (adjusted odds ratio (OR) for 10–mm Hg increases = 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00–2.02) and acquired color vision impairment in 15-hue patients (adjusted OR for 10–mm Hg increases = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.04–1.51). The multiple-adjusted ORs for acquired color vision impairment 100-hue patients and acquired color vision impairment 15-hue patients were 7.13 (95% CI = 1.72–27.88) and 4.37 (95% CI = 1.69–11.03), respectively, for the highest blood pressure category (systolic blood pressure ≥160 and diastolic blood pressure ≥100mm Hg) compared with those for the lowest blood pressure category (systolic blood pressure <120 and diastolic blood pressure <80mm Hg). Tests for trends were significant (P < 0.05) in both analyses.

The researchers note that the study design does not allow them to look at changes in vision or blood pressure over time. The study also can’t prove high blood pressure caused impairments in color vision.

People can screen their color vision at home with an online color test challenge, such as the one online here: bit.ly/1bMzPEW. The challenge is similar to the tests used in this study.

For more information
American Journal of Hypertension
Are Middle-Age Blood Pressure Levels Related to Color Vision Impairment? The Okubo Color Study

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