Copper-Wiring and Silver-Wiring
- Thickening of walls of retinal arterioles from chronic hypertension
- Retinal arterioles appear orange or yellow instead of red ("copper wiring")
- Retinal arterioles look white if they have become occluded ("silver wiring")
- Retinal arterioles indent retinal veins as they cross each other ("arteriovenous nicking")
- Nothing—your challenge is to recognize this sign!
- Recognize these signs of chronically elevated blood pressure
- Measure blood pressure, but even if not currently elevated, assume it has been elevated in past
- Make sure blood pressure is controlled
- Poor blood pressure control has adverse consequences—heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease among them
