Infectious, Non-Infectious and Vascular Complicatıons Of The Eye After Kidney Transplantation
Özet
Although kidney transplantation is the gold standard treatment for patients with end-stage renal failure, the lifelong immunosuppressive therapy required for graft survival makes patients susceptible to serious ocular complications. This study examines post-transplant ocular conditions under three main headings: infectious, non-infectious, and vascular. Within the infectious complications, herpes viruses are the most common viral pathogens causing serious post-transplant ocular infections. The most important clinical conditions include cytomegalovirus retinitis, herpes simplex virus keratitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, herpetic acute retinal necrosis, and Epstein-Barr virus retinitis, and the diagnostic and treatment strategies for these important pathologies are highlighted. Toxoplasma chorioretinitis, caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a destructive ocular infection and its important aspects are discussed in this section. Ocular bacterial infections in renal transplant recipients are serious complications caused by opportunistic pathogens due to the effects of immunosuppression. In this group, ocular syphilis, cat scratch disease, and tuberculosis are primarily examined. On the other hand, when fungal infections are considered, Aspergillus is one of the most common causes of systemic fungal diseases in kidney transplant recipients. In the section on non-infectious and vascular complications, tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion are covered. Because immunosuppressive drugs can mask typical signs of ocular inflammation, early diagnosis of vision-threatening conditions in kidney transplant recipients is difficult. To prevent diagnostic delays and permanent vision loss, regular ophthalmological screenings and a multidisciplinary approach are vital for these patients.
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