Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the ocular surface findings in chronic renal failure (CRF). Sixty eyes of 30 patients with CRF group and 70 eyes of 35 healthy subjects were evaluated. Schirmer-I, tear film break-up time tests and conjunctival impression cytology were performed in addition to complete ophthalmologic examination. The presence of dry eye symptoms and conjunctival calcification were noted. The groups were age and gender matched. The mean break-up time was 10.3±3.1 in group-1 and 11.2±1.7 seconds in the group-2 (p=0.03). The mean Schirmer score was 11.2±2.8 mm and 12.0±1.7 mm in the CRF and control group (p=0.095), respectively. In CRF group, conjunctival impression cytology was revealed as grade-0 findings in 16 eyes, grade 1 findings in 41 eyes and grade 2 findings in 3 eyes, in control group, it was revealed grade-0 findings in 48 eyes, grade 1 findings in 22 eyes and showed no changed in grade 2 (p<0.001). In CRF group, conjunctival calcification was regarded as grade 0 findings in 18 eyes, grade 1 findings in 34 eyes and grade 2 findings in 8 eyes. Grade 0 changes were seen in all subjects in group 2 (p<0.001). Itching (45%), redness (95%) and foreign body sensation (83%) were observed more frequently in the CRF group and also in all eyes with conjunctival calcification in both groups (p<0.001). Chronic renal failure patients suffer more than normal subjects from ocular surface complaints because of conjunctival calcifications and tear film instability although they have the same tear production with their contemporaries.