[Ophthalmic agents during pregnancy]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology
• Reproductive Medicine

Context:

• Ophthalmic agent use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is considered off-label.
• Careful risk-benefit assessment is crucial for prescribing these medications.
• Existing guidelines and resources require thorough evaluation.

Purpose:

• To review and derive recommendations for the use of ophthalmic agents in pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.
• To consolidate information from various sources including literature databases, pharmaceutical compendia, and expert guidelines.
• To highlight the need for increased attention to this topic within ophthalmological societies.

Summary:

• This overview systematically analyzed data from PubMed, pharmaceutical lists (Red List, Swiss pharmaceutical compendium), and guidelines from major ophthalmological societies (DOG, SOG, EGS, AAO), alongside resources like embryotox and reprotox.
• Recommendations were formulated for the safe and effective use of ophthalmic medications during pregnancy and lactation.
• The study emphasizes the off-label nature of these treatments and the necessity of individualized risk-benefit assessments.

Impact:

• Provides evidence-based recommendations for clinicians managing ophthalmic conditions in pregnant and breastfeeding patients.
• Aims to improve patient safety by guiding the selection and use of ophthalmic agents.
• Highlights the need for further research and dedicated attention from professional societies to this critical area of reproductive ophthalmology.