Introduction:

arterial hypertension is one the most frequent diseases in general population. Nowadays, it reaches a global prevalence of 30 to 45 %. Retinal microcirculation can be considered as an anatomical representation of the physiological and functional characteristics of the coronary and cerebral circulation.

Objectives:

to delve into the relationship between blood pressure levels and target organ damage, specifically through the fundus, as well as the possible ophthalmological complications derived from arterial hypertension, and the comparison of some of the existing classifications on the ophthalmological changes that it causes.

Methods:

analysis - synthesis and bibliographic- documentary analyses were the used methods. Google and Google Scholar as well as Hinari, SciELO Cuba, Pubmed and others databases were the search engines.

Conclusions:

hypertensive retinopathy is one of the adverse complications of acute or chronic arterial hypertension. On the other hand, venous occlusions and the formation of macroaneurysms constitute other serious ones to consider. The more effective the diagnosis and follow-up of hypertensive patients, the fewer resources will be needed for their treatment, thus avoiding complications in other target organs such as the brain and kidney, which would cause greater disability in patients.