Abstract
Presentation Description :
During pregnancy, hematologic, metabolic, hormonal, cardiovascular as well as immunologic changes occur and retinal diseases may be affected through these mechanisms. The most common retinal disease to be affected during pregnancy is diabetic retinopathy as glycemic and blood pressure control are affected markedly. Some of the risk factors associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy and the course of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy will be discussed. Less common retinal diseases that may be affected by pregnancy include association with eclampsia (including hypertension). Other retinal diseases including central serous chorioretinopathy and occlusive retinal diseases (arterial and venous obstructions) may occur during pregnancy. Inflammatory disease such as ocular histoplasmosis, white dot symdromes, and others are pre-existing conditions that may also be affected by pregnancy. The occurrence of chorioretinal neovascularization during pregnancy can occur associated with othe retinal diseaess or as idiopathic cases. The available therapies for these conditions include laser photocoagulation, intravitreal and systemic corticosteroids. The use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors are limited during pregnancy.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.