Review

Effect of Pregnancy on Eye and Visual Functions Review

  • Emine Malkoç Sen
  • Melike Balikoglu

Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2010;7(2):19-28

Pregnancy is often associated with ocular changes, most often transient, though occasionally permanent.  The effects of pregnancy on the eye include in physiologic changes on corneal sensitivity and thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual function, pathologic conditions such as hypertensive and vascular disease, central serous chorioretinopathy or modifications of preexisting conditions. Corneal sensitivity decreases during pregnancy in most women, returns to normalcy postpartum at 6th-8th weeks. The mild increase in corneal thickness caused by corneal edema was determined. Reduce in IOP occurs during pregnancy and second half of pregnancy, may continue in postpartum few months. Most of anti-glaucomatous drugs are category B or C, choline esterase inhibitors are category X. Bitemporal concentric shrinking in visual field may occur at the last period of pregnancy, visual field returns to normalcy within postpartum first two weeks. Fundus fluorescein angiography should be avoided especially at first trimester. If it is necessary, it may be performed at third trimester. Central serous chorioretinopathy may occur at every trimester of pregnancy. Signs disappear after pregnancy, visual acuity improves. Incidence of pseudotumor cerebri in pregnant women is not higher than in normal women.  During pregnancy tight control of blood sugar reduces risk of fetal macrosomi and congenital malformation, improve course of diabetic retinopathy. Gestational diabet is not risk factor for retinopathy and retinal follow-up and treatment is not necessary. Hypophysis adenoma enlarges during pregnancy, it is generally silent, and improves after the pregnancy. At pregnancy period less uveitis attacks are encountered, are seen frequently at first trimester. This review covers various effects of pregnancy on the eye.

Keywords: Pregnancy, eye, vision\r\n