Evaluation of Anterior Segment Parameters During Pregnancy.

PURPOSE To evaluate the anterior segment changes of eye during pregnancy according to the trimesters and compare them with non-pregnant subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study included 90 pregnant women (1.trimester: 30, 2.trimester: 30, 3.trimester: 30 pregnants) and 30 non-pregnant women whose ages ranging from 20 to 40 years. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and keratometry values were measured. Corneal thickness (CT) measurements were performed from pupil center, corneal apex and thinnest point of cornea. In addition, anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber angles (ACA) were also measured. RESULTS All trimester groups (1, 2 and 3.trimester) were compared with non-pregnant women for all measured parameters. The mean IOP values were significantly lower in 2nd and 3rd trimesters (p˂0.05). The differences of keratometric and CT measurements were not statistically significant in pregnant women when compared with non-pregnant women (p > .05). ACV was significantly higher in 1st trimester (p˂0.05); the difference of ACV in 2nd and 3rd trimesters was not significant (p > .05). There was also no significant difference in ACD and ACA measurements in trimester groups when compared with non-pregnants (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS We found that IOP decreased in 2nd and 3rd trimesters, and ACV increased in 1st trimester of pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant women. If the physiological changes in pregnancy are well known, diseases that affect anterior segment such as glaucoma and corneal disorders will be managed more accurately.