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. 2014 Aug;7(4):387-90.
doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfu036. Epub 2014 Apr 15.

Hypotension-induced blindness in haemodialysis patients

Shveta Bansal  1 , Alec Ansons  1 , Mandagere Vishwanath  1
Affiliations

Hypotension-induced blindness in haemodialysis patients

Shveta Bansal et al. Clin Kidney J. 2014 Aug.

Abstract

Hypotension is a commonly encountered complication in haemodialysis patients and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Bilateral visual loss in dialysis induced hypotension remains poorly recognized as a complication by both renal physicians and ophthalmologists. We report 2 cases of patients on renal dialysis who suffered severe longstanding hypotension with bilateral non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Both patients experienced bilateral loss of vision over a short time period. We feel that physicians must be aware of patients complaining of painless visual loss in this high risk group, as control of blood pressure may be the most important factor in prevention of this visually devastating condition.

Keywords: blindness; dialysis; hypotension; ischaemic optic neuropathy.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Fundus photographs right and left eye showing bilateral optic disc swelling.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Humphrey's visual fields of the right and left eyes respectively showing bilateral inferior altitudinal loss.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Fundus photographs of right and left eyes showing bilateral optic disc swelling as well as pallor (more marked in the right eye than the left).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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