Ocular changes as seen in black African renal patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

The study was on the relationship between ocular signs and symptoms and renal disease. It was a hospital-based study aimed mainly at examining the eyes of renal patients and relating the ocular signs with renal disorders in black Africans. Participants were 201 patients pooled from renal out patient clinic and renal unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya, identified as renal patients by the renal physicians of the hospital. The main outcome measures were a standardised questionnaire on ocular and renal disease aspects, slit lamp examination and fundoscopy coupled with relevant investigations. 165 patients had CRF, 28 ARF, 41 GN, 16 NS and 10 ESRD. 87.1% of the participants had ocular involvement of both anterior and posterior segments. There were only three blind patients however. Differences in the various aspects of relation between ocular findings and kidney disease were related to gender, age, pathology, treatment and control of kidney disease. 158 patients needed eye care as treatment with drugs or spectacles and others were referred for follow up and treatment in the hospital eye unit. Therefore kidney patients in KNH should have scheduled ophthalmic check up.