Tear Film Functions and Intraocular Pressure Changes in Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy related ocular changes are diverse with varied clinical outcome. In a cross-sectional, descriptive case control study, we evaluated tear film functions and intraocular pressure during pregnancy and compared the results with non-pregnant women. A total of 270 participants including 165 healthy pregnant women and 105 non-pregnant who were free from systemic and pre-pregnancy eye diseases were investigated. Snellen’s chart, fluorescein dye, No 41 Whatman filter paper, Perkin’s tonometer were employed to assess visual acuity, tear break up time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test (ST), intraocular pressure (IOP) on all subjects. The mean values for IOP (mmHg), TBUT (seconds) and Schirmer’s reading (mm) were: 13.24±2.18, 25.05±9.30, 37.03±17.06 and 14.24±2.66, 22.10±10.81, 50.13±19.10 for cases and controls respectively. Schirmer’s reading (SR) was significantly lower among pregnant women. Only age had a statistically significant association with the measured parameters. Our study revealed reduced SR during pregnancy. We suggest routine ocular assessment for pregnant women to forestall deleterious sequelae of dry eye.

Keywords: Tear break-up time, Schirmer’s test, intraocular pressure, pregnancy