The risk of kidney diseases is seen increasing rapidly globally, increasing cases of these diseases are being reported in India also. Health experts said that the risk of kidney diseases can occur at any age, but the risk is higher in people who have diabetes and high blood pressure.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also emerging as a silent epidemic affecting millions of people worldwide, the researchers said. Often by the time symptoms appear, serious kidney damage has already occurred.
Health experts say that it is necessary to identify the symptoms of kidney problems in time and treat them. It is common to have problems related to urination, but in a recent study, researchers said that kidney problems can also be predicted on the basis of symptoms seen in the eyes.
Symptoms of kidney problems on eyes
A team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, conducted a study to learn about the symptoms of kidney diseases. The team of researchers said that kidney problems can also be detected through eye examination. Whenever there is any problem in the kidneys, it starts affecting the retina also. Not only this, in serious situations, the problem of formation of clots behind the retina also starts.
On the basis of such changes seen in the eyes, kidney problems can be easily predicted.
What did the study find?
In reporting the studies, the team found that there is a connection between the kidneys and the eyes. Kidney problems can be detected based on changes in the retina and choroid (a layer of blood vessels behind the retina). For this study, scientists used an imaging technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT) to find that patients with CKD had significantly thinner retinas and choroids than healthy individuals.
OCT equipment is available in all eye clinics, through which it can be determined whether you have any problem with your eyes as well as your kidneys.
Relation between eyes and kidneys
In the research report, scientists said that there are many similarities between the eye and the kidney. Both organs are heavily dependent on small blood vessels for their proper functions. These delicate vessels in the eyes nourish the retina, allowing us to see clearly. At the same time, it forms a filtration system in the kidneys which cleans our blood.
When these blood vessels become damaged in serious health conditions like CKD, vision problems can also develop.
What did the findings reveal?
During the study, when researchers examined people who had undergone kidney transplant, it was found that there were major changes in the retina of such patients. Within just one week of receiving the new kidney the eye structures began to thicken, with improvement continuing over the next 12 months. On this basis, scientists said that it was as if the eyes were telling how healthy the transplanted kidney was working.
In conclusion, scientists said that by maintaining good kidney health, the eyes can also be kept healthy.
(PC: ISTOCK)
