A study on intraocular pressure variation in primigravida and multigravida in trimesters of pregnancy and puerperium

Abstract

To study intraocular pressure variation in primigravida and multigravida in trimesters of pregnancy and puerperium.This is a cross sectional and hospital based study of intraocular pressure (IOP) assessment of 693 female patients of non-pregnant, 1 trimester, 2nd trimester and 3 trimesters of pregnancy and puerperium during routine ocular examination. This study carried out in nine groups of 77 in each group.In primigravida the mean IOP was 14.31 ± 1.78 mmHg, 14.82 ± 2.09 mmHg, 12.86 ± 1.75 mmHg in first, second and third trimesters respectively. In multigravida the mean IOP was 14.38 ±1.97 mmHg, 14.36 ± 2.01 mmHg, 12.71 ± 1.63 mmHg in first, second and third trimesters respectively. In primigravida puerperal period the mean IOP was 14.55 ± 1.88 mmHg and in multigravida puerperal period the mean IOP was 14.04 ± 2.52 mmHg. Mean IOP during whole period of pregnancy was 14.00 ± 1.87 mmHg and 13.81 ± 1.08 mmHg in primigravida and multigravida respectively. Control group IOP was 15.92 ± 2.11 mmHg.There is a trend of decrease of intraocular pressure during pregnancy and comes towards no pregnant level during puerperal period both in primigravida and multigravida. IOP decreased more towards second and third trimester of pregnancy. There was variation of IOP in primigravida and multigravida during pregnancy and puerperium. IOP was significantly low in multigravida than primigravida. The higher IOP in primigravida could be due to antenatal and postnatal anxiety and stress and sleeplessness. Pregnancy related effect on IOP is usual phenomenon and temporary.