Visual Disturbances in (Pre)eclampsia

Abstract

After completing this CME activity, obstetricians and gynecologists should be better able to classify visual disturbances at an early stage during pregnancy, interpret acute onset of visual disturbances as the first sign of preeclampsia, and evaluate possible residual visual symptoms during follow-up.

Bilateral Retinal Detachments Caused by Severe Preeclampsia Diagnosed with Point-of-Care Ultrasound

“…2 Visual symptoms occur in approximately 25% of patients with preeclampsia. 3 Visual complications can include cortical blindness, central retinal vein occlusion, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. 3 Retinal detachments are estimated to occur in up to 3% of patients with preeclampsia.…”

“…3 Visual complications can include cortical blindness, central retinal vein occlusion, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. 3 Retinal detachments are estimated to occur in up to 3% of patients with preeclampsia. 3 These retinal detachments are typically exudative and are caused by an accumulation of fluid beneath the retina.…”

“…3 Retinal detachments are estimated to occur in up to 3% of patients with preeclampsia. 3 These retinal detachments are typically exudative and are caused by an accumulation of fluid beneath the retina. In contrast, the majority of retinal detachments seen in the emergency department (ED) are rhegmatogenous, which are caused by retinal holes or tears.…”

Cerebral Vasospasm in Cortical Blindness Associated with Preeclamsia/ Eclampsia Syndrome

“…Cortical blindness was defined as a loss of vision associated with an intact pathway from the eye to the lateral geniculate bodies, and therefore, the pupillary light responses and ocular motility remain intact [5].…”

“…The ophthalmic entities associated with Pe/ES are reversible cortical blindness, serous retinal detachment, Purtscher-like retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusions, and vitreous hemorrhages. The incidence of reversible cortical blindness in eclampsia has been found in 15% of women [4][5][6][7][8][9].…”