Objective: To compare ophthalmic arterial velocimetry in normotensive and p
reeclamptic gravidas with and without photophobia.
Methods: Ophthalmic arteries were studied by color-now Doppler ultrasonogra
phy in 118 normotensive pregnant women, 20 gravidas with preeclampsia and n
o visual symptoms, and 11 with preeclampsia, photophobia, and retinal edema
.
Results: The ophthalmic arterial pulsatility index (PI) correlated negative
ly with gestational age (y = -0.01x + 1.84, r = -0.41, P < .01). Pulsatilit
y index in preeclamptics with photophobia (0.71 +/- 0.17) was lowest among
the three groups (P < .01) and was highest in normotensive pregnant women (
1.41 +/- 0.21, P < .01). Mean velocity in normotensive pregnant women (0.19
+/- 0.05 m/second) was highest among the groups (P < .01) and was not sign
ificantly different in preeclamptic women with no visual symptoms (0.27 +/-
0.03 m/second) and with photophobia (0.30 +/- 0.02 m/second).
Conclusion: Preeclamptic women, especially those with photophobia, have orb
ital vascular vasodilation or hyperperfusion, or both. (C) 1999 by The Amer
ican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.