Corneal endothelial changes in patients with chronic renal failure

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate the morphologic changes of the corneal endothelium in patients with chronic renal failure. METHODS: Twenty corneas of 20 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis were examined by wide-field specular microscopy. Twenty normal corneas from 20 healthy age-matched subjects were enrolled as control corneas. RESULTS: Despite normal endothelial cell density, the corneal endothelium of patients with chronic renal failure showed marked polymegethism and pleomorphism. CONCLUSION: Polymegethism and pleomorphism of the corneal endothelium are found in patients with chronic renal failure.