What does kidney function have to do with an eye scan?

Good luck with your tests. Google came up with this link when i tried searching with some keywords -

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/Contrast-Dye-and-Kidneys
I think she wants to make sure is it ok to use contrast dye for your ct scan as it might be create problems for some people in kidney function.

CT contrast material is/can be nephrotoxic, so they want to make sure that you don’t have any issues before using it.

(When it was discovered on ultrasound that I only had 1 kidney as an incidental finding, they sent me for a CT to confirm. I had to point out to them “Uh, hey guys, if I potentially only have 1 kidney, shouldn’t I not sign this release approving the use of contrast material??” They were like “Oh, yeah, good call.” Didn’t instill a lot of faith.)

Oh. Thank you! I made the wrong conjecture and was looking for some connection between kidneys and eyes. It’s between kidneys and the dye.

I don’t have kidney problems, that I know of, but I regard ESRD as more frightening than cancer. Should I avoid the test?

IV contrast is routine and low risk. But it’s higher risk in patients with renal dysfunction. It’s always a risk/benefit thing. I don’t know what they’re looking for in the eye but if they need contrast, then they need contrast.

I would ask if the contrast is necessary. If they are willing to do it no contrast if your kidney function is below par, that to me means no contrast might suffice. Or, possibly an MRI will suffice? I don’t know enough about the diagnostic stuff to know.

Remember CT will deliver some radiation while an MRI won’t. Although, head CT is less radiation than say a pelvic one. CT is also much faster and much cheaper. Insurance companies like the cheap option. Sometimes CT is better than MRI for very specific reasons that again, I’m fairly ignorant when it comes to why one is better than the other for seeing different things.

One of our jellies is a diagnostic guy. I can try to figure out who if you want to ask him.

They did the scan, first without contrast and then with. The doctor said that what they’re looking for will show up far better with contrast. I guess my kidney function must have tested out all right, or they wouldn’t have done it. Right?

The infusion felt kind of nasty, but it didn’t last long. I’m drinking extra water now. It’ll be all right with me if I don’t have to do that again very soon, although compared with some tests it was nothing.

Many thanks for all the helpful answers.

I hope you get the answers you’re looking for. Did they indicate at all that they found something?

Scan technicians aren’t supposed to interpret the results.

I know. Sometimes they give you a clue. I’m always grateful when a tech blabs a little. I haven’t had that happen with a CT, but I have many times with ultrasounds.