The effect of hemodialysis on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure: an interdisciplinary review Review article

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Published: Sep 18, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24292/01.OT.110926
Keywords:
intraocular pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, hemodialysis, end-stage renal disease, renal replacement therapy

Main Article Content

Sviatlana Filitaryna
Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Specialist Hospital in Radom
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8897-0254
Monika Wiatr
Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Specialist Hospital in Radom
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2038-3174
Magda Marciniak
Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Specialist Hospital in Radom
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4016-6536
Cezary Orzechowski
Medical University of Warsaw
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1265-311X
Michał Gutowski
Medical University of Warsaw
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7865-8736
Monika Kałwak
Independent Public Health Care Facility of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration named after Sergeant Grzegorz Załoga in Katowice
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4244-3086
Aleksandra Foryś
St. Barbara Provincial Specialist Hospital No. 5 in Sosnowiec
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7983-1443
Wojciech Wojas
Maria Skłodowska-Curie Medical University in Warsaw
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4295-0599
Justyna Żabicka
Maria Skłodowska-Curie Medical University in Warsaw
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0612-0938
Kinga Lichtarska
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, LUX MED Group
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9319-8323
Patryk Dłubis
Municipal Hospital in Gliwice LL
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2952-6675

Abstract

Hemodialysis, as the most commonly used method of renal replacement therapy, may induce changes in intraocular pressure. A hemodialysis-associated increase in intraocular pressure has been reported primarily in patients with impaired aqueous humor outflow, including those with narrow or closed iridocorneal angles and those with primary or secondary glaucoma, especially neovascular or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. One of the main mechanisms underlying intraocular pressure elevation is considered to be a non-synchronous decrease in blood and intraocular fluid osmolality, leading to a transient osmotic gradient and fluid shift into the eyeball. Hemodialysis may also affect ocular perfusion pressure, and its reduction may increase optic nerve susceptibility to damage even when intraocular pressure remains within normal limits. Fluctuations in both intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure represent a clinically significant but under recognized concern in patients at risk. This review highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between nephrologists and ophthalmologists, while existing knowledge gaps justify further research in this area.

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How to Cite
1.
Filitaryna S, Wiatr M, Marciniak M, Orzechowski C, Gutowski M, Kałwak M, Foryś A, Wojas W, Żabicka J, Lichtarska K, Dłubis P. The effect of hemodialysis on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure: an interdisciplinary review. Ophthatherapy [Internet]. 2026Sep.18 [cited 2026Sep.23];00:A1109. Available from: https://www.journalsmededu.pl/index.php/ophthatherapy/article/view/3498
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Diagnostics
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