Ophthalmological Manifestations in Chronic Hemodialyzed Patients: A 132 Cases Study in Abidjan

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the eye signs seen in patients on chronic hemodialysis at Cocody University Hospital and the factors influencing their occurrence. Material and Methods: We carried out in the Ophthalmology Department of Cocody University Hospital a cross-sectional study over 15 months. It focused on 132 patients on chronic hemodialysis followed in the hemodialysis department of Cocody University Hospital. Results: Hypertensive nephropathy was the leading cause of chronic renal failure (58%). The most common ocular functional sign was loss of visual acuity (LVA) (38%), followed by ocular pruritus (22%). Twenty-one percent (21%) of our patients were visually impaired (MAVLC < 3/10). The adnexal lesions were polymorphic. The most commonly encountered were dry eye (14%) and eyelid edema (8%). The anterior segment involvement was dominated by cataract (28%). Hypertensive retinopathy was noted in 42% of patients. The frequency of ophthalmological manifestations decreased as the duration of dialysis increased. Discussion: Eye manifestations in people with chronic renal failure and on hemodialysis are variable. Several factors are involved, mainly hypertension; first and foremost is hypertension. Correction of these factors is necessary to prevent blindness.