RESUMO
AIMS: To study the effect of haemodialysis on intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients at the University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, and the influence of anterior chamber angles, surgery, and diabetes on the change in IOP after haemodialysis. METHODS: Prospective, single centre study on patients undergoing haemodialysis with a sample size of 98 eyes (49 patients). Ocular examination was performed before haemodialysis. Pre- and post-haemodialysis IOP measurements were taken. Plasma osmolarity changes and volume of fluid removed were noted. Patients on antiglaucoma treatment or who have had earlier laser or surgical procedures for it were excluded. Student's t-test and Pearson's coefficient test were used to determine the statistical significance. RESULTS: Plasma osmolarity decreased significantly (-11.6+/-10.0 m Osm/l, P<0.001). In eyes with occludable angles (8% of cases), IOP decreased significantly (-3.63+/-1.92 mmHg, P<0.001). In non-occludable angle eyes (92% of cases), no significant changes (P>0.05) in all subgroups of non-operated/operated and diabetic/non-diabetic eyes were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Haemodialysis does not cause significant changes in IOP in non-glaucomatous and non-occludable angle eyes.
