The diploma thesis addresses the issue of blood pressure and its changes in relation to the quality of visual functions. The theoretical part focuses on the anatomical structure of the eye, particularly its vascular supply. Furthermore, it analyzes blood pressure, its variations influenced by various factors, and its systemic impact on target organs. Intracranial pressure is also discussed as a mediator of the relationship between blood pressure and changes in visual functions. A substantial part is devoted to pathological ocular conditions arising from blood pressure abnormalities, including both anatomical and sensory alterations.
The experimental part focuses on the measurement of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and intraocular pressure under variable hypertensive conditions in a selected group of subjects.

Results

The results of this study demonstrated that oral caffeine administration leads to an acute increase in systemic blood pressure, which was observed in the majority of subjects as early as 30 minutes after administration. Blood pressure changes exhibited pronounced individual variability, indicating differences in caffeine metabolism and individual sensitivity to its effects. With respect to visual functions, no clinically significant changes in visual acuity were observed; however, mild fluctuations associated with hemodynamic changes were detected. These changes were measurable but clinically insignificant. Contrast sensitivity did not show a generalized deterioration; on the contrary, a mild improvement at higher spatial frequencies was observed in a subset of subjects, likely due to transient enhancement of visual system perfusion and stimulation of the central nervous system. A significant finding was the acute increase in intraocular pressure, which temporally correlated with the elevation of systemic blood pressure. This increase was quantitatively greater than values reported in previously published population-based studies, highlighting the impact of acute hemodynamic changes on ocular stability. Overall, the results confirm the existence of a relationship between systemic hemodynamics and both functional and hydrodynamic parameters of the eye, while emphasizing the markedly individual nature of these responses.

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