INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE TRENDS IN PREGNANCY AND IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Background: Systemic blood pressure is positively related to intraocul ar pressure. During the third trimester of pregnancy decreased intraoc ular pressure while increased blood pressure has been reported. After taking into account all those factors that can affect intraocular pres sure, the present study investigated whether or not the high blued pre ssure found in late pregnancy influences the known ocular hypotensive effect of late pregnancy. Subjects and methods. Normotensive subjects in all trimesters of pregnancy and non-pregnant control groups along w ith third trimester hypertensive subjects were studied. Intraocular pr essure was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. Results. In the second and third trimester subjects, the mean intraocular press ure was significantly lower than in the non-pregnant control group. Th e differences between first and second, first and third, and second an d third trimesters of pregnancy were (mean+/-s.d.) -0.5+/-1.2 (p<0.05, -1.5+/-1.7 (p<0.001), and -1.0+/-2.1 (p<0.01) mmHg respectively. The mean difference between third trimester hypertensive and third trimest er normotensive pregnant women was 0.53+/-1.5 mmHg (p<0.05). Conclusio ns. With advancing pregnancy, intraocular pressure decreases. The mean intraocular pressures of third trimester hypertensive pregnant women were significantly higher from that of third trimester non-hypertensiv es. Knowledge of the normal level of intraocular pressure in various s tages of pregnancy may help glaucoma screeners.