We wished to assess whether ocular toxoplasmosis can be reactivated during pregnancy in immunocompetent females, and whether such reactivation is confined to the eye or whether the fetus is exposed to the risk of vertical transmission. For this purpose, we retrospectively examined 18 females with ocular toxoplasmosis during the course of 35 pregnancies. Of these 18 patients, seven developed recurrences during seven pregnancies. Due to the potential risk of functional damage to the mother and the possibility of vertical disease transmission to the fetus, we suggest following such cases carefully during pregnancy until the dimensions of the problem are more fully appreciated.

Younger OT patients carry a higher risk of developing a recurrence than older ones. After each episode, two-thirds of all OT patients will develop another one.

In its quiescent stage, ocular toxoplasmosis was associated with permanent visual field defects in >94% of the eyes studied. Hence, standard automated perimetry may better reflect the functional damage encountered by ocular toxoplasmosis than visual acuity.