Abstract:Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by abnormalities in kidney structure or function, with albuminuria >3 mg/mmol and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m² for more than three months. Hypertensive nephropathy can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy for survival. This study aims to investigate the correlation between hypertensive retinopathy and CKD.
Methods: The study was conducted from January 2016 to June 2017 at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, involving 100 clinically diagnosed CKD patients. Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations, including visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, and fundus examination, were performed. Blood pressure and several blood tests, including serum creatinine, were also conducted to calculate GFR using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. CKD and hypertensive retinopathy were graded according to established classifications.
Results: The study found a significant correlation between hypertensive retinopathy and CKD (P-value <0.001). A decrease in GFR was associated with increased severity of both CKD and hypertensive retinopathy.
Conclusion: The study concluded that hypertensive retinopathy is prevalent in CKD patients, and the severity of hypertensive retinopathy and CKD are inversely proportional to GFR levels.