Ocular manifestations of pregnancy induced hypertension

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a challenging stigma in the field of obstetrics and one of the major contributors to maternal and perinatal mortality. Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessing ocular manifestations in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension. Materials & Methods: A total of 100 patients with pregnancy induced hypertension were enrolled. Patients with the chronic hypertension, preexisting renal diseases, diabetes mellitus, hematological disorders, infectious diseases and any prior ocular diseases were excluded. Anterior segment examination was carried out with torch light. Pupils were dilated with tropicamide and fundus examination was carried out with indirect ophthalmoscope. All the results were recorded and analysed by SPSS software. Results: Defective vision was seen in 19 percent of the patients. Macular oedema was seen in 11 percent of the patients. Lid oedema and choroidal infarcts were seen in 2 percent and 3 percent of the patients respectively. Arteriolar narrowing was seen in 14 percent of the patients. Conclusion: Ocular symptoms were seen in 32% of preeclampsia. Frequent and prompt screening of retina in PIH patients is indicated.