Pregnancy-Related Eye Changes

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  • Cornea:
    • ↑ Thickness & curvature (due to edema) → transient myopic shift (avg. -0.5 to -1.0 D), astigmatic changes.
    • Contact lens intolerance common.
  • Intraocular Pressure (IOP):
    • ↓ IOP (typically 2-3 mmHg), more pronounced in 2nd/3rd trimesters.
    • Mechanism: ↑ uveoscleral outflow, hormonal effects (progesterone).
  • Tear Film & Conjunctiva:
    • Altered tear film (↓ lysozyme, ↑ mucin) → dry eye symptoms (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).
    • Conjunctival vasodilation.
  • Other Physiological Changes:
    • Mild ptosis (fluid retention).
    • Chloasma (pigmentary changes on eyelids/periorbital skin).
    • Krukenberg spindles may become more prominent (benign).
    • Transient ↓ accommodative amplitude (rare).

⭐ A transient myopic shift and contact lens intolerance are common due to corneal edema and changes in corneal curvature.

📌 Mnemonic: PERKS of Pregnancy Eyes

  • Ptosis (mild)
  • Edema (corneal) → Refractive changes
  • Refractive shift (myopia)
  • Krukenberg spindles
  • Sicca (dry eyes) / Sensitivity to contact lenses
  • Preeclampsia/Eclampsia:

    • Symptoms: Blurred vision, photopsia, scotomas, diplopia.
    • Signs: Hypertensive retinopathy (retinal arteriolar narrowing, hemorrhages, cotton wool spots, exudates), papilledema, serous retinal detachment.
    • ⚠️ Severe: Cortical blindness (occipital ischemia/edema).
  • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR):

    • Acute ↓ vision, metamorphopsia, micropsia, central scotoma.
    • Typically 3rd trimester/postpartum.

    Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a key cause of acute vision loss in late pregnancy/postpartum, often resolving spontaneously.

  • Pituitary Adenoma Enlargement:

    • Pre-existing pituitary adenomas may enlarge.
    • Symptom: Bitemporal hemianopia.
    • Urgent neuro-ophthalmic referral.
  • Other Grave Conditions:

    • DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation): With HELLP/abruption. Ocular: Choroidal infarcts, serous retinal detachment, retinal/vitreous hemorrhages.
    • Uveitis: Variable course. Toxoplasmosis reactivation. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome may trigger/worsen.
    • Purtscher-like Retinopathy: Rare; associated with pancreatitis, amniotic fluid embolism.

Pregnancy modifies existing eye conditions and their management, presenting unique challenges.

  • Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

    • Can significantly worsen. Risk factors: DM duration, baseline DR severity, poor glycemic control (HbA1c), hypertension, nephropathy.
    • Management:
      • Pre-conception counseling & optimization.
      • Meticulous glycemic control (Target HbA1c < 6.5%).
      • Regular ophthalmic exams:
        • No DR / Mild NPDR: 1st trimester, then as indicated.
        • Moderate NPDR: Each trimester.
        • Severe NPDR / PDR: Monthly or more frequently.
      • Laser photocoagulation: Safe and effective.
      • Anti-VEGF (e.g., Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab): Generally avoided (Category C); consider only for vision-threatening PDR if laser fails/not possible.

    Diabetic retinopathy can significantly worsen during pregnancy; meticulous glycemic control and regular ophthalmic exams (at least once per trimester) are paramount. OCT Angiography of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Glaucoma

    • IOP often ↓ (↑ progesterone, ↑ uveoscleral outflow, ↑ aqueous outflow facility).
    • Medication safety is key (see flowchart below).
    • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) preferred over incisional surgery if intervention needed.
  • Other Conditions

    • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR): May occur/worsen, often bilateral; usually self-limiting postpartum.
    • Uveitis: Course is variable. Immunosuppression requires careful selection (e.g., avoid methotrexate).
    • Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH): Weight gain can exacerbate. Acetazolamide (Cat C) used cautiously if benefits outweigh risks.
    • Refractive Changes: Transient myopic shift due to corneal edema & ↑ thickness. Delay new spectacle Rx until stable postpartum.
    • Pituitary Adenoma: Pre-existing adenomas may enlarge, causing visual field defects (bitemporal hemianopia).
    • Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia: Ocular signs include retinal vasospasm, serous retinal detachments, cortical blindness.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Physiological corneal edema and ↑ thickness cause transient refractive shifts & contact lens intolerance.
  • Intraocular pressure (IOP) typically ↓ decreases, often by 10-20%.
  • Preeclampsia/Eclampsia can induce severe hypertensive retinopathy, serous retinal detachment, and even cortical blindness.
  • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) may develop or worsen, especially in the third trimester.
  • Diabetic retinopathy can progress rapidly; regular fundus screening is vital.
  • Pituitary adenomas may enlarge, causing bitemporal hemianopia or other visual field defects.

Practice Questions: Pregnancy-Related Eye Changes

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Flashcards: Pregnancy-Related Eye Changes

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