Renal and ocular manifestations of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy

Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy are commonly manifested in renal and ocular changes. Proper evaluation of findings provided by urine analysis, renal biopsy and examination of the optic fundi, visual acuity, and visual fields may help in assessing the severity of the disease and the need for obstetric intervention. Furthermore, renal and ocular changes are important guides in the differential diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Renal and ocular lesions have also been found to have important prognostic implications. Review of the current knowledge on renal and ocular pathophysiologic changes induced by hypertension in pregnancy, may in addition shade light on the obscure etiology of this common entity.