Pregnancy and the eye. Changes in morphology of the cornea and the anterior chamber of the eye in pregnant woman.

Abstract

The main goal of the study was to determine whether uncomplicated pregnancy and natural labor exert influence on the cornea and the anterior chamber of the eye. The study included 114 eyes of 57 women in age of 21-35 years old. Only patients in the physiological pregnancy and giving natural birth were recruited into study. Prospective observative examination was performed. Patients were diagnosed twice: in 36 HBD and 6 weeks after labor. Using the Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam system) the following parameters were assessed: central corneal thickness (CCT), keratometric parameters: flat (K1) and steep (K2), astigmatism value and axis, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and anterior chamber angle (ACA). The statistical analysis was carried out in the StatSoft Statistica 13 program. CCT value is greater in the third trimester than in 6th week after the labour. ACD and ACA values are higher in 36 HBD than in the post-partum period but the difference is not statistically important (p > 0.05). K1, K2, cylindrical refraction error, axis of cylindrical refraction error do not change. Authors claim that it is the result from an increase in water retention in the corneal stroma as a response to hormonal changes. The plasticity of the anterior chamber seen before delivery can be a natural adaptive mechanism of the female body, which counteracts the excessive increase in intraocular pressure in the second stage of delivery.