The course of corneal and intraocular pressure changes during pregnancy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine concurrent changes in corneal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP), and corneal topography measurements during normal pregnancy. DesignProspective cohort study. ParticipantsWe studied 50 eyes from 25 healthy women whose ages ranged from 21 to 35 years and who were first seen during the 10th week of pregnancy. MethodsMeasurements included IOP (noncontact tonometry); corneal thickness (ultrasound pachymetry); and corneal topography (TMS 2N, TOMEY, Nagoya, Japan). Changes in IOP, central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal power were calculated at 4 time periods: first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and 3 months postpartum. ResultsThe mean IOPs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were found to be lower than those in the first trimester and at 3 months postpartum (p = 0.001). The mean CCT in the second and third trimester of pregnancy was measured to be higher than in the first trimester and at 3 months postpartum (p < 0.001). Both IOP and CCT returned to first-trimester levels following delivery. In the third trimester, a 3.1% increase in CCT was associated with a 9.5 % decrease in IOP. Topographic measurements did not show statistically significant changes throughout the trimesters or after pregnancy. ConclusionsAn increase in CCT was accompanied by a decrease in IOP in the second and third trimesters. Physiologic changes occurring in CCT and IOP should be considered in the management of glaucoma during pregnancy.