Quantifying microvascular abnormalities in chronic kidney patients

Introduction. Ocular microvascular changes can be related to kidney deterioration in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to identify the association between retino-choroidal parameters and kidney deterioration in diabetics and non-diabetics. Methods. The study group consisted of CKD patients (cross-sectional study) with arterial -hypertension with different stages of CKD. Complete eye examination was completed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) scans of the macular region. According to the value of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria, patients were divided into groups: low GFR (<60ml/min) and high GFR (>60ml/min) and CKD patients without albuminuria and CKD with micro or macroalbuminuria. Results. One hundred and six eyes of 106 chronic kidney disease patients were evaluated. The mean retinal thickness in GFR <60 ml/min group was 275,73 +/- 9,65 micron (mu), whereas in a GFR >60 ml/min group was 274,36 +/- 10,77 mu. OCTA showed lower deep vascular density (DVD) in CKD with albuminuria versus CKD without albuminuria group (p < 0.001). Albuminuria was inversely related to choroidal and retinal thickness measures of superficial (SVD) and DVD. Conclusions. CKD is associated with retinal diluting and decreasing kidney function with reduction of retinal and choroidal vascular density.