Ophthalmologic changes associated with pediatric nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure

This work aimed to assess ocular changes that may occur in pediatric nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure to verify the importance of ophthalmologic examination as a prognostic and follow up parameter in pediatric chronic renal diseases. It was conducted on 121 patients with chronic renal diseases [50 with nephrotic syndrome, 40 were on steroid treatment [group A] and ten weaned from any medications [group B]] in addition to 71 patients with chronic renal failure [21 were on conservative treatment [group C] and 50 were on regular hemodialysis [group D]]. Ocular evaluation of group A revealed decreased visual acuity, recurrent infections and posterior subcapsular cataract. Patients of group B showed cataract, decreased acuity and recurrent infections. The examination of patients of group C revealed decreased acuity and snowflake cataract and glaucoma. It could be concluded that patients with chronic renal diseases were at an increasing risk of ocular affection likelihood cataract, glaucoma, decreased visual acuity, recurrent infections and corneal calcification, especially children with renal failure on long duration hemodialysis and nephrotic syndrome patients under maintenance steroids for long duration