Ocular manifestations in renal diseases

Abstract

The eyes and kidneys are the targets for end-organ damage in multiple pathologies. Both these organs develop during the same embryonic stage around the fourth to sixth week of gestation, thus sharing a strong correlation between both eye and kidney diseases. Both the eyes and kidneys can be the target of the systemic disease process; however, the eyes can also be affected as a consequence of renal disease or its treatment. Risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and smoking are commonly shared between kidney and eye diseases. Ocular manifestations can be predictive of renal disease, and/or patients with renal disease are at higher risk for developing ocular manifestations. Various congenital anomalies of the eyes and kidneys can also present as an oculorenal syndrome. This article summarizes the ocular pathology, which can be seen in renal diseases.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; hemodialysis with an eye; kidney with an eye; ocular renal syndrome.

Figure 1

Fundus image of the left eye of a patient with retinopathy due to renal hypertension, showing retinal arteriolar narrowing, venous tortuosity, arteriovenous nicking, optic disc swelling, a few flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots, and retinal exudation with macular star

Figure 2

Fundus image of the right eye of a patient with diabetes and CKD, showing retinal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking, and retinal hemorrhages, with extensive retinal exudation