Intraocular Pressure Change in the Pregnant Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension Patients and Normal Pregnant Women

Cho, Eun Young; Moon, Jung Il

Abstract

PURPOSE
Decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) during pregnancy has been reported by previous studies. There have been arguments about the use of glaucoma medications during pregnancy. This study estimated IOP changes in pregnant patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension compared with IOP changes in normal pregnant women throughout pregnancy. METHODS: Eighteen pregnant glaucoma patients on anti-glaucoma medication (10 POAG, 8 ocular hypertension) and 30 normal pregnant women were studied. Any glaucoma medication was stopped at the time of awareness of pregnancy. IOP measurements were taken 3 times per trimester, and baseline IOP was regarded as the result 2 months after delivery. The average values of each trimester were compared with baseline IOP. IOP was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer at 9-10 o'clock in the morning. RESULTS: As compared with baseline IOP, IOP decreased by 4.8% at the first trimester, 17.8% at the second, and 16.9% at the third in the normal pregnant group, and by 2.2% 9.7%, and 29.4% respectively in the POAG or ocular hypertension group. Maximal IOP decrease was noted at 20 weeks (second trimester) in the normal pregnant group, and at 32 weeks (third trimester) in the POAG or ocular hypertension group. CONCLUSIONS: There was a difference in the time of maximal IOP decrease during pregnancy between normal pregnant women and pregnant POAG or ocular hypertension patients (second trimester in the normal group, third trimester in the POAG or ocular hypertension group). Further study with a larger number of subjects is needed to confirm this IOP change in pregnancy.