Hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol increase your risk of stroke. They also increase your risk of having a blood vessel at the back of your eye bleed or become blocked. Having hypertension or a diet that is high in fat also increases your risk of developing late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
A stroke happens when a blood vessel in your brain bleeds or becomes blocked. This can affect your vision if it is in the part of the brain that you use to see. It can lead to blind spots in your vision that may cause problems with reading. It can also mean you are no longer able to drive, and you may bump into things when walking.
If a blood vessel at the back of your eye is blocked or bleeds, this may cause serious changes in your vision. In some cases this may lead to total sight loss in one eye.
You can reduce your risk of these problems by keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.
Last reviewed: February 2026
