BACKGROUNDChronic renal failure (CRF) affects every organ system including eye. It is a growing global public health problem which affects 10% -16% of population in Asia, Australia, Europe and United states. The aim of this study was to prospectively analyse the ocular changes among CRF patients and to evaluate patients for any visual threat, especially from retinopathy so that timely necessary advice and treatment be given before irreversible visual loss occurs.
MATERIALS AND METHODSIn this study, 100 cases with CRF were collected from nephrology and medicine departments of K. R. Hospital, MMC and RI, Mysore between 1 st November 2016 and 30 th April 2017 and a descriptive study was conducted.
RESULTSThe results were analysed; 40 -60 years' age group was commonly affected with a definite male preponderance (80%). The most common cause leading to CRF in these patients was combined form (diabetes and hypertension) 40%, hypertension 25%, diabetes 16% and others 16%. The major causes for visual impairment was cataract (14%) followed by diabetic retinopathy with maculopathy in 16 (8%), PDR in 2 (1%), optic neuropathy in 1 (0.5%), resolving vitreous haemorrhage in 2 (1%), BRVO in 1 (0.5%), corneal calcification in 3 and opacification in 1 (2%) and ARMD in 5 (2.5%). Lid oedema in 44%, conjunctival findings in 54% and corneal calcification was present in 3%. Hypertensive retinopathy in 32 out of 68 hypertensives (47.06%) and diabetic retinopathy in 32 out of 56 diabetic cases (57.13%) was noted. Diabetic retinopathy was more prevalent and this was statistically significant. There were two cases of bilateral serous retinal detachment related to chronic renal failure.
CONCLUSIONRetinopathy is very often asymptomatic in its treatable early stage. An early diagnosis of sight threatening retinal conditions and its timely intervention can significantly decrease the patient's risk of irreversible visual loss. Ocular evaluation of CRF patients in their early stages is important, as significant number of patients in this study were advised treatment so that visual impairment could be prevented.
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