Complications of extracapsular cataract surgery in chronic renal failure patients

In chronic renal failure (CRF) patients the risk of per- and post-operative complications in cataract surgery is high. The most frequent complications observed in these patients and the prevalence of cataract were studied.

Eighty-two CRF patients who had undergone ophthalmic examination between December 1996 and April 1998 at Başkent University, Department of Ophthalmology, were retrospectively analysed. Of 82 patients, 18 eyes of 14 CRF patients between 37 and 79 years of age underwent cataract extraction. Planned extracapsular cataract extraction was performed in all patients and all but one had posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. In the post-operative period, scrapings of the corneal infiltrates were cultured and smears were examined, and the conjunctiva was swabbed and cultured also.

Per-operative hypotony and scleral collapse occurred in 1 patient, and another had haemorrhage in the anterior chamber. Post-operatively, suture infiltration was observed in 10 eyes. These lesions disappeared after topical steroid and antibiotic treatment.

Patients with CRF require special surgical considerations since they face both general surgical problems and others that arise due to their disease.