Physiological
Changes of Intraocular Pressure
(IOP) in the Second and Third Trimesters
of Normal Pregnancy
1043-1045
Correspondence
Pitta Paramjyothi
H.No.24-7-199/1/1
Devinagar Colony, Near NIT
P.O. Rec, Kazipet, Dist: Warangal
Andhrapradesh, India- 506004
Phone: 09849163282
E-mail: paramjyothi@gmail.com
Background: Numerous physiological changes occur in the body during pregnancy and the eye is no exception. Pregnancy brings in an increase in hormones that may cause changes in the vision by altering the strength of refraction. The temporary changes in the vision will return to normal after the delivery.
Aim: To study the physiological IOP changes in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as pregnancy affects the preexisting ocular conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, toxaemia of pregnancy, tumours and immunological disorders, but it can have beneficial effects on one such pre-existing condition such as glaucoma.
Settings and Design: In the present study, the IOP in the right and left eyes was recorded by Schioltz tonometry in the secondand third trimester pregnant women of the age group 20-30 years, who were without any refractive error presently and previously.
Methods and Material: The IOP changes of 30 pregnant women in the second trimester were compared to that of 30 pregnant women in the third trimester.
Statistical Analysis: The data which was obtained was analyzed by using the Student’s t-test.
Results: During the second and third trimesters, the p values of the IOP in both the eyes are highly significant (<0.0001).
Conclusion: The physiological decrease in the IOP during pregnancy is due to an increase in the aqueous outflow because of the influence of increased progesterone and the beta subunit of the human chorionic gonadotrophin levels.