Chronic renal failure with retinal detachment.

INDIAN PEDIATRICS 406 VOLUME 41APRIL 17, 2004 the literature (Medline Search), we found that retinal detachments are a known complication of chronic renal failure, though majority of case reports and series are from adult patients. Numerous hypothesis have been suggested for retinal detachments-dilutional hyponatremia(2), severe hypertension(3), ischemic infarction of choroids(4) and choroids spasm(5). Multiple factors may be operable simultaneously. The interesting part is that the retinal detachment is reversible when various causes or the complications are managed adequately and that includes renal transplantation as well. We feel that reversible retinal detachment occurring in association with renal insufficiency has not been emphasized sufficiently in pediatric literature. It would be worthwhile for patients with chronic renal disease to undergo a complete retinal examination including indirect opthalmoscopy routinely, so as to detect and treat this condition. It is probably not rare, but will be seen more frequently if looked for carefully. Zou Chaochun, Zhao Zhengyan, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57# Zhugan Xiang, Hangzhou, 310 003, China. E-mail: [email protected]