English

Abstract

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of fundus changes in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and to find the correlation of the findings with the levels of hypertension and with the severity of the disease. METHODS: This was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted over a period of one year from July 2012 to June 2013. 150 patients with diagnosed PIH and admission into wards at King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, with 36 weeks period of gestation and above, were included in the study. Those with pre-existing hypertension, coexisting diabetes mellitus, severe anaemia, renal disease and ocular diseases like cataract or corneal opacities were excluded from the study. After taking consent and ocular history, anterior segment was evaluated. Pupils were dilated with 0.5% tropicamide eye drops and fundus examination was done with direct ophthalmoscope. Information like age, para, BP etc., was noted down from case sheets. RESULTS: Total number of patients studied was 150.Mean age was 23.06+ 3.03years. 105 (70%) were primigravidae and 45(30%) were multigravidae. Fundus findings were seen in 35 cases (23.33%). 26 (17.33%) had Grade I changes, 1 (0.66%) had grade II changes, 6 (3.9%) had grade III changes 2 (1.3%) had serous retinal detachment/grade -IV. The degree of retinopathy was correlating with the severity of the disease and levels of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of fundus changes in PIH is 23.33%. Most of the fundus changes in PIH are underdiagnosed. Timely ophthalmoscopy should be called for in all cases of PIH as it would affect the decision of induction of delivery, thereby preventing other complications.