Ocular complications after renal transplantation

The ocular complications in 78 renal transplant patients were evaluated. Fifty-eight (74%) showed some ocular abnormality. Forty-one patients (53%) were found to have various degrees of cataracts. The duration of hemodialysis, the age of the patients, and daily dosage of prednisone did not seem to influence the development of cataracts. Correlation was found between the total dosage of prednisone and the cataract formation. Mild and moderated hypertensive fundus changes were found in 15 patients. Severe progression of diabetic retinopathy was observed in 2 diabetic patients. For the first time focal hemorrhagic necrosis of the eyelid as a result of cryptococcus septicemia was noted. Other ocular complications include one case of ocular hypertension and one case of herpetic keratitis. Although the incidence of ocular complications was high, the severity of ocular pathology seemed to be relatively mild.