Effect of Pregnancy on Intraobserver and Intertechnique Agreement in Intraocular Pressure Measurements

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of pregnancy on intraobserver and intertechnique agreement for intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. Material and Methods: Right eyes of 88 healthy women who were likely to become pregnant and of 94 healthy age-matched females were included in the study. Complete ocular examinations were performed on each eye. IOP measurements were obtained by Goldmann, Schiötz and non-contact tonometers (NCT) during 3-week exam periods before (within 6 weeks of conception) and during pregnancy (first, second and third trimesters) for pregnant cases, and in similar time intervals for control subjects. In each exam period, three readings with each of three separate tonometers were obtained, at least 1 day apart. Intraobserver and intertechnique agreements for IOP measurements were assessed. Results: The mean visual acuity, keratometry and refractive error of both control and pregnant subjects did not change significantly during the study (all p values >0.01). In late pregnancy, pregnant cases demonstrated significant decreases in IOP measurements obtained with each of the three tonometers, and in intraobserver agreement with Goldmann and Schiötz tonometers (all p values <0.01). Intertechnique agreement of both Goldmann and Schiötz tonometers with NCT decreased significantly in the third trimester. Both intraobserver and intertechnique agreement in IOP measurements of control subjects were not found to change significantly during the study (all p values >0.01). Conclusion: IOP significantly decreased in the third trimester of pregnancy. Perfect intraobserver agreement in IOP readings of pregnant subjects was obtained with NCT. This may suggest that NCT is a viable option for IOP measurements during the follow-up of pregnant patients at risk for glaucoma.

Ophthalmic Complications and Ocular Changes in Pregnancy- A Review

“…Glaucoma: Glaucoma is another preexisting disease modified by pregnancy. As mentioned earlier, intraocular pressure is decreased during pregnancy [11][12][13][14][15]. Intraocular pressure decreases during the second trimester and continues to decrease with the advancing pregnancy [13].…”

“…As mentioned earlier, intraocular pressure is decreased during pregnancy [11][12][13][14][15]. Intraocular pressure decreases during the second trimester and continues to decrease with the advancing pregnancy [13]. In most cases, lower intraocular pressure means glaucoma improves with pregnancy [49][50].…”

“…Intraocular pressure can also be affected. It can be significantly decreased during pregnancy [12][13][14][15].…”

Mudanças oculares durante a gestação

“…Outros fatores que causam a aceleração de retinopatia diabética neste grupo inclui duração do diabetes (19) , hipertensão associada à gravidez e pré-eclâmpsia (20) , normalização rápida dos níveis de glicose durante a gravidez (21) , controle glicêmico não rigoroso pré-gravídico (19) e mudança no fluxo sanguíneo retiniano (22) . Diabetes gestacional, na ausência de diabetes pré-existente, não mostra uma associação similar com retinopatia diabética.…”

Effect of Pregnancy on Intraobserver and Intertechnique Agreement in Intraocular Pressure Measurements

“…Accuracy and reliability are two equally important factors that determine the usefulIn their article, Akar et al [1] concluded that perfect intraobserver agreement in intraocular pressure (IOP) readings of pregnant subjects was obtained with non-contact tonometer (NCT). They suggested that NCT is a viable option for IOP measurements during the follow-up of pregnant patients at risk of glaucoma.…”