Comparing Anterior Segment Parameters During Pregnancy and Post-Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a physiological process in which many systems such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, hematological and visual systems are affected, especially the endocrine system. Many organs, including the eye and orbit, are affected by the physiological interaction between the fetus and the mother. In most pregnant women, these effects are at the physiological level and are temporary; Sometimes it can be pathological and permanent. Hormonal, coagulative and hemodynamic changes are responsible for most of the ocular adaptations. Changes in corneal curvature, sensitivity and thickness are observed during pregnancy. It has been reported that corneal curvature increases with pregnancy, this increase occurs in the last trimester and returns to first trimester values at the end of the breastfeeding period. Although the etiology of this steepening of the cornea has not been clearly clarified, it is thought that it may be due to corneal edema caused by hormonal changes. However, it's not recommended for pregnant women to prescribe contact lenses because their variable keratometric values. A decrease in corneal sensitivity during pregnancy has been detected by esthesiometry in many studies. It decreases especially in the third trimester and returns to normal around the 2nd month after delivery. The corneal thickness measured by pachymeter may increase in pregnant women. some of them had myopic shift. In a study, 83 pregnant women were examined to determine the causes of visual disturbances during pregnancy and postpartum period. Previous studies reported that there was a change in favor of myopia (-0.9±0.3D) during pregnancy and it returned to pre-pregnancy levels in the postpartum period. Unstable refractions were thought to be due to changes in corneal thickness and curvature.

As a result, it was stated that the refractive change was temporary and in favor of myopia. It is recommended to wait up to several weeks postpartum before prescribing new eyeglasses [8].

There are various reports about IOP in normal pregnant women. In most of these studies, a decrease was found in IOP during pregnancy. In a prospective study, a decrease in IOP was found in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and it was shown that this change returned in the first month postpartum.

Before planning an anterior segment surgeries such as cataract and refractive surgery, changes in pregnancy should be taken into account and attention should be paid to surgical timing. The aim of this study is to reveal whether there is a change in anterior segment parameters in pregnancy period