Bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients on dialysis: A report of two cases

Patients under chronic dialysis treatment suffer from atherosclerotic disease and anemia more frequently than the normal population. This, together with the frequent hypotension, put these patients at increased risk for anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), which may be bilateral and blinding. We present two cases of patients under chronic dialysis who developed bilateral AION after hypotensive events. Bilateral involvement is not unusual in renal replacement patients who suffer from AION. Efforts should be focused on prevention of this complication by improving anemia and blood pressure control because once established, treatment will probably be ineffective.