Effect of Hemodialysis on Eye Coats, Axial Length, and Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in eye coats, axial length, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in hemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS: We included HD patients who were diagnosed with CRF in our hospital from January to December 2015. Fifty-two patients met the inclusion criteria; all right eyes were used for observation. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded to calculate OPP. Approximately 30 minutes before and after HD, we recorded multiple parameters, including lens thickness (LT), axial length of vitreous (VAL), axial length of eye (EAL), ciliary body thickness (CBT), choroidal thickness (CT), and retinal thickness (RT). RESULTS: After HD, OPP significantly decreased (P < 0.01, F = 7.023) and CBT became significantly thinner (P < 0.01, t = 3.461). CT was significantly thinner and differed among measurement locations (P < 0.01, t = 6.240; P < 0.01, t = 6.169; P < 0.01, t = 3.405, respectively, fovea, nasal, and temporal side 1500 μm beside the fovea). Further, RT thickened and differed among measurement locations (P < 0.05, t = −2.265; P < 0.05, t = −2.624; P < 0.05, t = −2.220, respectively, fovea, nasal, and temporal side 1500 μm beside fovea), whereas LT, VAL, and EAL significantly increased after HD (P < 0.05, t = −2.076; P < 0.01, t = −3.817; P < 0.01, t = −4.010). CONCLUSIONS: HD impacts the thickness of the eye coats and VAL, particularly affecting CBT, CT, and RT. OPP transiently decreases during HD, which may contribute to an ischemic state.