ABSTRACT
Pregnancy causes significant changes in all systems of the body. Although most of them are physiological, they may also lead to pathological consequences. The resulting pathological changes may occur for the first time or existing diseases affected by pregnancy can become more serious or change course. Diseases specific only to pregnancy may arise. Like all systems of the body, the visual system is also affected by pregnancy, developing a wide range of physiological and pathological changes. Knowing the ocular physiological changes and diagnosing eye diseases that may develop during pregnancy, and preventing and treating these diseases is crucial to ensure the baby’s healthy development. Therefore, we have reviewed the conditions that an ophthalmologist should recognize, follow-up, and pay attention to during treatment and summarized them under the topic “pregnancy and the eye”.
Introduction
Pregnancy causes major changes in all systems of the body. Physiological changes protect the fetus, support development, and also prepare the mother for birth. These changes affect the cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, endocrine, metabolic, hematologic and visual systems.1 For example, in early pregnancy cardiac output and blood volume increase by 30-50%. Decreased fibrinolytic activity and increases in plasminogen, fibrinogen and factors I, V, VII, IX and X result in a predisposition toward coagulation. Toward the end of pregnancy, extracellular fluid increases by up to two liters. Cellular immunity decreases, but there are no changes in immunoglobins.2
Ocular changes during pregnancy are categorized as physiological or pathological. Pregnancy-related pathological changes may present as new ocular developments, changes in existing ocular pathology, and ocular complications of systemic diseases.3,4
This article examines pregnancy-related physiological and pathological changes in the eye and visual system; the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of these changes; and issues to be considered.
Conclusion
Visual complaints are a common occurrence in pregnant women. It is extremely important that ophthalmologists are aware of the various physiological and pathological conditions that may arise or be altered during pregnancy, and are knowledgeable about their differential diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Especially rare and serious complications may include visual symptoms and pregnant patients may initially be seen by an ophthalmologist. Responding carefully, rapidly and strategically to patients with these complaints can prevent possible risks to mother and baby.
Concept: Nursal Melda Yenerel, Raciha Beril Küçümen, Design: Nursal Melda Yenerel, Data Collection or Processing: Nursal Melda Yenerel, Analysis or Interpretation: Nursal Melda Yenerel, Raciha Beril Küçümen, Literature Search: Nursal Melda Yenerel, Writing: Nursal Melda Yenerel, Raciha Beril Küçümen, Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed, Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors, Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study received no financial support.
