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[Glaucoma and pregnancy--review of the literature with a case report]
C Cursiefen1, A Jünemann, M Korth
1Augenklinik mit Poliklinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Background:
Intraocular pressure usually decreases during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related physiological changes do not seem to cause progression of glaucoma.
Patient And Methods:
The literature regarding glaucoma, ocular hypertension and pregnancy indexed in Medline is reviewed. In addition, we report on a 35-year-old patient with ocular hypertension and a known glaucoma family history, who was thoroughly examined before, during and after pregnancy (visual fields, optic disc measurements, 24-hours tension profile, sense physiology ["Erlanger flicker-test", pattern-reversal-ERG, blue-yellow-VEP], ocular perfusion).
Results:
Visual fields and optic disc measurements did not become worse during pregnancy. Also the other sensory parameters ("Erlanger flicker-test", pattern-reversal-ERG, blue-yellow-VEP) did not deteriorate. Intraocular pressure was reduced by 7 mm Hg during and 2 months after pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood velocity of the ophthalmic artery measured by dopplersonography was increased by 60% during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
According to present knowledge pregnancy is associated with decreased intraocular pressure and does not seem to constitute a risk factor for progression of ocular hypertension or primary open angle glaucoma. Whether antiglaucomatous drug therapy during pregnancy is necessary awaits further evaluation.