| Theme |
Working in Cooperation with Other Departments for Dialysis Treatment -- Centered Mainly on Easily Overlooked Conditions |
| Title |
Glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy : ocular complications in dialysis patients |
| Author |
Ken-ichi Sato |
Department of Ophthalmology, Nikko Memorial Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
The prevalence of cataracts in dialysis patients is extremely high. Cataract surgery should be considered when visual disturbances due to cataracts interfere with patients daily lives. Performing cataract surgery on dialysis patients is relatively safe, although it should be noted that dialysis patients usually have multiple risk factors including expulsive hemorrhaging, one of the most severe intraoperative complications. The prevalence of glaucoma in dialysis patients is comparable to that of the general population.
Because of poor subjective symptoms especially in the early stages and difficulties in improving visual field defects once they become advanced, early detection of chronic glaucoma is essential to prevent enduring severe visual loss. The number of dialysis patients with diabetic retinopathy is increasing, in proportion to those with diabetic nephropathy as their primary condition. It is already known that the activity of diabetic retinopathy decreases after dialysis initiation. Nevertheless, regular examination of the fundus is essential even after initiation. |