LIKHITA MOVVA,GENICKSON JEYARAJ R,SANDRA SAGAR
DOI: https://doi.org/Background: Hemodialysis (HD) is a life-sustaining therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD), and it is usually associated with systemic and ocular complications. These ocular manifestations, if unrecognised, can significantly impair quality of life.
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and the spectrum of ocular manifestations among patients undergoing HD at a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 72 patients on regular HD. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp, and fundus evaluations, were performed. Cataract grading, diabetic retinopathy staging, and hypertensive retinopathy assessment were documented.
Results: A total of 144 eyes were examined. The mean age was 58.7 ± 6.7 years, with a male predominance (70.8%). Cataract was the most common anterior segment finding, present in 56.9% of eyes, predominantly nuclear sclerosis. Pseudophakia was observed in 13.2%. Posterior segment findings included diabetic retinopathy in 25% (18.1% NPDR, 6.9% PDR) and clinically significant macular oedema in 4.2%. Hypertensive retinopathy was highly prevalent, affecting 77.7% of eyes, with Grade 1 changes most frequent. Cup-to-disc ratio >0.5 was noted in 6.9% of eyes. Ocular morbidity was significantly associated with systemic comorbidities, particularly diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
Conclusion: Ocular manifestations are highly prevalent in HD patients, with cataract, hypertensive retinopathy, and diabetic retinopathy being the most common. These findings underscore the importance of routine ophthalmic screening in this vulnerable population to facilitate early detection and intervention, thereby preventing vision-related morbidity.
