| Abstract [eng] |
Topic relevance. Care of eye diseases during pregnancy is becoming relevant for many women of reproductive age in the context of current demographic trends and improvement in obstetrics and ophthalmological care. Diagnostics and care of eye diseases during pregnancy, labor and postpartum is significant topic in clinical, as well as legal practice. However, the research on this topic remains insufficient. Purpose of the literature review. The purpose of this review is to overview physiological changes in visual system, as well as most common ophthalmological diseases during pregnancy, labor and postpartum and their treatment options and impact on mode of delivery and pregnancy planning. Methods. In this review ophthalmological diseases, the most relevant to obstetric population are revised. The search of literature was conducted from May 2024 to February 2025 in the PubMed and Cochrane data bases. Results and conclusions. Scientific research on ophthalmological care during pregnancy, labor and postpartum is limited and insufficient. Due to hormonal, metabolic and physiological changes occurring during pregnancy tear production reduces, there is also reduced sensitivity and changes of curvature and thickness of cornea. Most of these changes are benign and regress postpartum. Ther most common 3 ophthalmological problems during pregnancy are dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, refractive errors. The main goal for care of chronic eye diseases during pregnancy is to preserve vision life quality of the pregnant woman without harming the fetus. Most autoimmune diseases, that manifest in visual symptoms tend to regress during pregnancy, therefore in majority of cases it is advised to reduce immunosuppressive treatment during pregnancy and increase again postpartum. Ophthalmological drugs during pregnancy should be chosen according to the safety categories, aiming to find the safest options. It is imperative to know that urgent obstetric conditions such as preeclampsia with severe features or eclampsia can manifest in acute visual symptoms, therefore new visual symptoms occurring during pregnancy should be carefully evaluated to diagnose and start treatment for serious conditions as soon as possible. Even though mode of delivery is often a matter of debate only choroidal neovascularization, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are proven indications for Caesarian section. Women of reproductive age with eye conditions should be strongly advised to discuss the pregnancy and labor care with various specialist in advance to plan the best and safest obstetric and ophthalmological care. |
