Evaluation of Choroidal Changes During Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: During pregnancy, various physiological changes occur in almost all organs of the body including the eyes. Increased blood volume and cardiac output results in ocular blood flow increase. Consequently, the choroid is a highly vascular tissue; any local or systemic pathology affecting the vasculature could also affect the choroid. Objective: The aim of the study was to report and evaluate choroidal changes in healthy pregnant women, pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and pregnant women with gestational hypertension (GH) and to compare the measured parameters with those of healthy non-pregnant women. Patients and Methods: This prospective comparative study comprised 180 eyes of 90 women divided into 4 groups; Group 1(control): 30 healthy non-pregnant females, Group 2 (Low risk pregnancy): 30 healthy pregnant females ≥ 24 weeks of gestation, Group 3 and 4 (high risk pregnancy): each consisted of 15 pregnant females ≥ 24 weeks of gestation with GDM or GH. All four groups were age-matched. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography at seven different locations. Results: CT increased significantly in healthy pregnant females (third trimester) compared to control group and decreased significantly in high risk pregnant females compared to healthy pregnant and non-pregnant females. Conclusion: Reporting changes in CT during pregnancy may give valuable data to interpret pregnancy-related ocular pathologies.