Does pregnancy accelerate the rate of progression of diabetic retinopathy?: an update

Diabetic Retinopathy during pregnancy in Hispanic women with latent Toxoplasma gondii infection

BACKGROUND

Retinal photography was performed in pregnancy and postpartum in pregnant Hispanic women with latent Toxoplasma gondii (TG) infection in order to screen for characteristic retinal lesions or the particular scars found in people with active T. gondii infection. A comparison group of TG negative women was included in the study but they did not have retinal photography.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the parent study was to assess for adverse pregnancy events and evidence for parasite reactivation in TG positive (TG + ) women, through examination of the eyes for characteristic lesions. Retinal photography, usually at prenatal visits 2 (17 +/- 3.35 weeks) and 3 (26.3+/-1.75) weeks, was done on TG + women. Fifty-six of these women also (43 %) had retinal photography at the postpartum visit. Health and demographic data were obtained at the first prenatal visit for all women.

STUDY DESIGN

From the 690 recruited at the first prenatal visit, 128 TG- women and 158 TG + women were enrolled in a prospective study through pregnancy and the postpartum. All TG- women (n = 532) provided data at the first prenatal visit and throughout their pregnancy and birth through the EHR. This allowed comparison of health and outcome data for the TG + compared to a larger number of TG- Hispanic pregnant women.

RESULTS

While there was no evidence of ocular toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, there was a surprisingly large number (42 %) of TG + women with diabetic retinopathy (DR). We also observed that TG + women had a 20 % incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to 11.3 % in the TG- women (p = 0.01). At postpartum (mean 5.6 weeks), 23 of 30 women with pregnancy DR showed no DR in the postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS

No characteristic T. gondii lesions were discovered. Retinal photography serendipitously revealed DR in these T. gondii positive women. It was also found that latent TG infection was associated with increased incidence of GDM. Hispanic pregnant women's increased risk for latent TG infection, GDM and DR are underappreciated. Retinal photography may need to be considered an innovative approach to screening.

Current Trends in Diagnosis and Treatment Approach of Diabetic Retinopathy during Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy and gestational diabetes are major concerns worldwide. These conditions may lead to the development of severe diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy or worsen pre-existing cases. Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of diabetes for both the mother and the fetus in the future. Understanding the prevalence, evaluating risk factors contributing to pathogenesis, and identifying treatment challenges related to diabetic retinopathy in expectant mothers are all of utmost importance. Pregnancy-related physiological changes, including those in metabolism, blood flow, immunity, and hormones, can contribute to the development or worsening of diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, this condition may eventually result in irreversible vision loss. Treatment options such as laser therapy, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, and intravitreal steroids pose challenges in managing these patients without endangering the developing baby and mother. This narrative review describes the management of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy, highlights its risk factors, pathophysiology, and diagnostic methods, and offers recommendations based on findings from previous literature.

Prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in pregnant women with diabetes-time to individualize photo screening frequency

AIMS

To evaluate the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy including macular oedema in pregnant women with diabetes and to identify women in whom the frequency of retinal screening can be reduced to minimize the burden of health care visits.

METHODS

A cohort study of 348 women with pre-existing diabetes were routinely screened with retinal photo in early (12 weeks) and late pregnancy (27 weeks). Diabetic retinopathy was classified in five stages in accordance with National Danish Guidelines based on the eye with the highest retinopathy level. Sight-threatening retinopathy was defined as the presence of proliferative retinopathy and/or clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO).

RESULTS

Retinopathy was present in 52% (116/223) vs. 14% (17/125), with sight-threatening retinopathy in 16% (35/223) vs. 6% (7/125) of women with type 1 and type 2, respectively. Women without retinopathy in early and late pregnancy were characterized by shorter diabetes duration (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.008) and predominance of type 2 diabetes. Amongst the 50% (175/348) of the cohort having no retinopathy in early pregnancy and HbA1c<53 mmol/mol (7.0%), none developed sight-threatening retinopathy and 94% (165/175) remained without any retinopathy during pregnancy. Development of sight-threatening retinopathy was mainly observed in women with retinopathy in early pregnancy. Treatment for sight-threatening retinopathy was given to a minority (2.7 and 2.4%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Good glycaemic control and no retinopathy was seen in a large proportion of women in early pregnancy and none of these women developed sight-threatening retinopathy. The frequency of retinal screening can probably be safely reduced during pregnancy in these women.

A Narrative Review of the Complex Relationship between Pregnancy and Eye Changes

Pregnancy is a condition often characterized by changes that occur in different parts of the body. Generally, the eyes suffer several changes during pregnancy that are usually transient but may become permanent at times. This may occur due to the release of placental hormones and those of maternal endocrine glands and fetal adrenal glands. Due to hormonal influences, physiological ocular changes during pregnancy have been shown in Caucasian women, so corneal sensitivity, refractive status, intraocular pressure, and visual acuity may change during pregnancy. Within this review, all studies that referred to physiological aspects and to changes of ocular pathology of pregnancy, the effect of the pregnancy on pre-existing (diabetic retinopathy, neuro-ophthalmic disorders) eye disorders, postpartum ocular changes, the intraocular pressure and the effect of hypotensive ophthalmic medicine during pregnancy, the connection between pregnancy and the neuro-ophthalmic pathology, as well as the role of anesthesia were analyzed.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medications during pregnancy: current perspective

PURPOSE

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications are widely used for treatment of a number of vitreoretinal disorders. However, the evidence for their effect on fetal and maternal health during pregnancy is very limited. The goal of this article is to accumulate evidence for the indications of anti-VEGF medications during pregnancy and their effects on maternal and fetal health.

METHODS

Review of literature regarding anti-VEGF administration during pregnancy and using PubMed database without language or date limit.

RESULTS

The main indications for treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF medications include choroidal neovascularization (CNV) followed by retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) and complications of diabetes such as neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Among anti-VEGF medications, only ranibizumab and bevacizumab have been used during pregnancy with latter by far more than the former.

CONCLUSION

Women of childbearing age should be consulted regarding the potential adverse effects of anti-VEGF medications on fetal health and the risk of early pregnancy loss. They should be strongly encouraged to use appropriate contraceptive methods during treatment. A timely obstetrics consultation may help in this situation. Attempt for pregnancy should be withheld for at least 3 months following last injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept, and for at least 6 months following last injection of bevacizumab.

Relationship between Size of the Foveal Avascular Zone and Carbohydrate Metabolic Disorders during Pregnancy

Aim

To determine whether the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), as a morphological indicator of the microcirculation of the perifoveal capillary network, changes in the carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy (the gestational age of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preexisting diabetes (PexD)).

Methods

Ten normal individuals and 41 eyes of 41 patients, 28 with GDM and 13 with PexD, were studied. A 3 × 3 mm area of the FAZ of the superficial capillary plexus layer (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus layer (DCP) was determined by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA; RS-3000 Advance, NIDEK). The significance of the correlation between the size of the FAZ and the weeks of pregnancy was determined.

Results

The area of the FAZ of the SCP was 0.38 ± 0.11 mm² (normal eyes), 0.41 ± 0.16 mm² (GDM), and 0.43 ± 0.10 mm² (PexD). The area of the FAZ of the DCP was 0.78 ± 0.23 mm² (normal eyes), 0.69 ± 0.16 mm² (GDM), and 0.79 ± 0.25 mm² (PexD). No significant difference in the FAZ sizes was observed between the groups. The average number of weeks of pregnancy was 24.1 ± 8.2 weeks in the eyes with GDM and 23.3 ± 11.4 weeks in the eyes with PexD (P > 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the size of the FAZ of the SCP and the number of weeks (r = 0.37, P=0.04 for GDM, and r = 0.49, P=0.04 for PexD, Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient).

Conclusions

For GDM and PexD under established glycemic control, the area of the FAZ is not affected, but vascular changes occurred at the early phase of pregnancy.

Changes in VEGF-related factors are associated with presence of inflammatory factors in carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy

The aim of this study was to determine the action of molecules in carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy. The concentration of different types of cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the plasma were measured in 4 groups of women: Group I, normal pregnancy (n = 10); Group II, patients with gestational DM (n = 12); Group III, pregnant patients with preexisting DM (n = 16); and Group IV, diabetic non-pregnant women (n = 22). The plasma VEGF concentration was significantly higher in the women in Group IV than in other groups (P <0.01). The concentration of the soluble form of the VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) was significantly higher in Group I than in other groups (P <0.01). The concentration of soluble form of the VEGF receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) was significantly lower in Groups I than in other groups (P <0.05). The concentrations of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and eotaxin were significantly lower in Group I than in Groups III and IV. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly higher in Group I than in Group IV. Both the VEGF-related molecules and the Inflammatory cytokines are altered in pregnant women with the carbohydrate metabolism disorders.

The physiologic and pathologic effects of pregnancy on the human visual system

Pregnancy is a normal state of physiological stress that induces significant changes in the human body, some of which can potentially affect the visual system. The pregnant state may exacerbate pre-existing ocular disorders (i.e. diabetic retinopathy or central serous retinopathy). Moreover, other systemic conditions related to pregnancy can induce ophthalmic disorders affecting the retina and the choroid, some of which are of acute nature. Increasing awareness and improving collaboration between ophthalmologists, obstetricians and internists can play a pivotal role in the management of complex conditions during pregnancy. Special attention should be given while prescribing medications or deciding about other diagnostic or therapeutic techniques. The purpose of this review is to summarise the physiologic and pathologic effects of pregnancy in the eyes, highlighting the most acute clinical entities that may be threatening for the vision or even the life of the mother and her baby.

The Impact of Pregnancy and Parity on Type 1 Diabetes Complications

BACKGROUND

The potential influence of pregnancy and parity on the risk of chronic diabetic complications is a matter of great concern and constant discussion. This aspect seems relevant and should be the subject of thorough discussion with the woman planning childbirth.

INTRODUCTION

Current data concerning the impact of pregnancy and parity covers primarily retinopathy and nephropathy, while the aspects of neuropathy and macrovascular complications are unsatisfactorily documented. Majority of studies focus on single complication only, while the number of papers assessing this problem in a complex setting is limited. The available body of evidence concerns mainly the short-term impact of pregnancy on diabetic chronic complications while the data concerning the longer perspective are scarce. Moreover, the results found in the available literature are conflicting. The aim of the study was to summarize all available data concerning the longer impact of parity on the chronic complications in the women with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

PubMed database has been searched between October 2013 and September 2018 and all relevant papers were selected. This review summarizes data on the impact of pregnancy and parity on chronic complications in type 1 diabetic women.

RESULTS

Current data assessing this matter in a complex way are limited, and the available results are controversial. It seems however that pregnancy itself may rather influence pre-existing diabetic complication than affect risk of its development. Additionally, evidence suggests that any deleterious changes appearing during pregnancy are transient and tend to remit after delivery.

CONCLUSION

It seems that neither pregnancy nor parity affects the risk of diabetic chronic complications in the longer perspective.

Prevalence, progression, and outcomes of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy in Indian scenario

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate pattern of diabetic retinopathy (DR) during pregnancy in females with pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

This is an ambispective observational cohort study conducted at an Indian tertiary care centre. A total of 50 pregnant females with pregestational DM were included while those with gestational DM were excluded from the study. Ocular examination (inclusive of fundus photography) was conducted and systemic parameters (inclusive of Glycated hemoglobin) were assessed during each of the 3 trimesters and 3 months postpartum. The prevalence and progression of DR during pregnancy in the study cohort were the main outcome measures.

Results

Three of the 50 patients had type 1 DM while 47 had type II DM. All the patients with type I DM were insulin dependent while 19 patients with type II DM were insulin dependent. Overall prevalence of DR was 8% (4/50); 2 cases had nonproliferative DR (NPDR), and 2 had proliferative DR (PDR). During the study period, worsening was seen in both the patients with PDR and one required vitrectomy. Mean visual acuity in patients with PDR decreased from 0.77 logMAR units at presentation to 1.23 logMAR at final follow-up. There was no change in the mean visual acuity of patients with NPDR. None of the patients with NPDR converted to PDR. There was no new onset DR in the patients without DR at presentation. Assessment of risk factors for DR revealed significantly higher duration of DM (14 ± 6.32 years vs. 3.43 ± 1.43 years, P = 0.0008). The median age was also higher in the DR patients (31 years vs. 29 years, P = 0.32).

Conclusion

No new onset cases were seen during the course of pregnancy and no conversion from NPDR to PDR was seen; however, a worsening of the two PDR cases was observed. No cases of DR were seen in noninsulin-dependent DM. None of the four participants with DR showed a spontaneous resolution of DR postpartum. Patients with PDR and long-standing DM require careful observation during pregnancy. A registry of diabetic mothers should be set up for development of guidelines for managing such cases.

Ocular changes during pregnancy

Purpose

To summarize available literature on physiologic and pathologic ocular changes during pregnancy.

Methods

Narrative review of literature.

Results

Ocular changes occur commonly during pregnancy. Although most of these are benign physiologic responses to the metabolic, hormonal, and immunologic modifications to adopt the gestational product, there is some serious pathology that may develop, exacerbate, or even resolve over the course of pregnancy which requires prompt diagnosis and management. The pathological eye conditions can be classified into preexisting pathologies and emerging ocular diseases. Regardless of the different mechanisms by which these ocular changes occur, the key point is the establishment of an effective perinatal screening program to monitor the new development or successive progression of these ocular abnormalities. Irrespective of the visual health status of the pregnant women, regular perinatal eye examination should be scheduled in order to assure continuous surveillance of healthy eyes. Treatment of pathologic ocular conditions or functionally disturbing benign changes relies on an appropriate patient selection.

Conclusions

Discriminating pathological eye disease from physiologic ocular changes is important in order to establish an individualized treatment or preventive plan and constitutes the mainstay of obstetric ophthalmology. This individualized approach should always weigh the ocular benefits of treatment to the mother against the potential harms to the fetus.

Eye care services utilisation among pregnant women in Nigeria

One hundred and sixty-five pregnant Nigerian women attending the antenatal clinic of LAUTECH teaching hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria between January and April 2014 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were obtained. Respondents were also asked: if they had had their eye examined by an eye specialist during the index pregnancy, frequencies of visit to eye care centers and indications for their visitation. A history of previous eye examination by eye care specialist/visit to eye clinic was considered as eye care utilisation. Selection of eligible subjects who consented to participate in the study was done using simple random technique. Logistic regression model was used to control sociodemographic and obstetric factors in order to determine independent covariate factor influencing the use of eye care services. Among the population studied, only 46 (32%) had eye examination during the index pregnancy. Level of education and occupational status of the respondents were found to be statistically significant factors (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). There is a need for a policy that will encourage regular eye care services usage during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and the Eye

Pregnancy causes significant changes in all systems of the body. Although most of them are physiological, they may also lead to pathological consequences. The resulting pathological changes may occur for the first time or existing diseases affected by pregnancy can become more serious or change course. Diseases specific only to pregnancy may arise. Like all systems of the body, the visual system is also affected by pregnancy, developing a wide range of physiological and pathological changes. Knowing the ocular physiological changes and diagnosing eye diseases that may develop during pregnancy, and preventing and treating these diseases is crucial to ensure the baby's healthy development. Therefore, we have reviewed the conditions that an ophthalmologist should recognize, follow-up, and pay attention to during treatment and summarized them under the topic "pregnancy and the eye".

Sex/gender disparities and women's eye health

Our eyes are, both literally and figuratively, windows to the world, and ophthalmic approaches offer a tremendous space for conducting research to learn more. Male/female differences in ocular health and disease are prevalent but we know far too little about root causes to design and implement diagnostic, preventive, and treatment strategies to address sex- and gender-based disparities in eye health. Herein, we discuss several ophthalmic diseases and other conditions with ocular manifestations, with a focus upon those that disproportionately affect women. Because the vast majority of biomedical research in this area comes from studies of mixed-gender populations, or of male-predominant populations, there is a pressing need for sex- and/or gender-based research at various points along the basic to clinical biomedical research continuum. Moreover, the multitude of factors that affect eye health call for a balanced look at the influence of biology, culture, and societal contributors. As clinicians, we owe our patients the best care for their needs, and that care must be derived from research that shows what is effective, for whom, and under what conditions.

Male-female differences in diabetic retinopathy?

The purpose of this paper is to review male-female differences in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. These differences will be established primarily through results from our present research and a review of related literature. Previously, we have demonstrated that neuroretinal dysfunction can be used to predict the location of future retinopathy up to three years before it is manifest. Our current research suggests that, for type 2 diabetes, the normal differences in neuroretinal function between nondiabetic males and females under 50 years of age are altered in patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, local neuroretinal function in type 2 diabetes is more abnormal in adult males compared with adult females. The literature also suggests that there are male-female differences in the occurrence of diabetes. In adolescence, the incidence of type 1 diabetes is greater in males, whereas in type 2 diabetes, the incidence is greater in females. This excess of females in type 2 diabetes shifts to a more equal incidence between the two sexes in adults. In addition, advanced retinopathy in type 1 diabetes appears to be more common in males, and the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy at the time of diagnosis in type 2 diabetes appears to be more associated with male sex. Although the reasons for male-female differences identified in this review are unknown, sex appears to be a significant factor in certain aspects of diabetes incidence and diabetic retinopathy.

Neuro-ophthalmic disorders in pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review discusses evaluation and treatment of neuro-ophthalmic disorders in the pregnant patient.

RECENT FINDINGS

Any neuro-ophthalmic abnormality seen in nonpregnant women can be seen in pregnant women. Pregnancy-specific complications (preeclampsia and eclampsia) cause visual symptoms and can affect the entire visual axis.

SUMMARY

Appropriate evaluation and examination is important to preserve the health and vision of the mother and prevent complications in the fetus. Evaluation should proceed in the same way for a pregnant patient as it would for a nonpregnant patient, with few exceptions. Treatment decisions may be influenced by stage of pregnancy.

Diabetic retinopathy and pregnancy

Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy have reciprocal influences between them, therefore diabetes mellitus may complicate the course of pregnancy as well as pregnancy can worsen the performance of diabetes especially at the fundus oculi. Several factors seem to play a role in retinal neovascularization. Actually it's not possible to understand the mechanisms underlying this progression. Moreover chronic hyperglycemia leads to several events such as: the activation of aldose reductase metabolic pathway, the activation of the diacylglycerol-protein kinase C, the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins with formation of advanced glycation endproducts and the increase of hexosamines pathway. Although every structure of the eye can be affected by diabetes, retinal tissue, with all its vessels, is particularly susceptible. Pregnancy may promote the onset of diabetic retinopathy, in about 10 % of cases, as well as contribute to its worsening when already present. The proliferative retinopathy must always be treated; treatment should be earlier in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women. Pregnancy can also cause macular edema; it spontaneously regresses during the postpartum and therefore does not require immediate treatment. In summary, collaboration between the various specialists is primary to ensure the best outcomes for both mother's health and sight, and fetus' health.

Ophthalmic considerations in pregnancy

The eyes are our window to the world and offer us an island of vision in the sea of darkness. Equally, the eyes are also a window to peep into what is going on in the milieu interior. Pregnancy is a natural state of physiological stress for the body. Each organ system of the body in a pregnant lady behaves at variation than in a non-pregnant state. A complex interplay exists between how the pregnancy affects the eye and how ocular physiology and pathology may lead to the modification of the management of pregnancy. Added to this is the effect of systemic conditions on the eye which gets modified by pregnancy. An awareness of the interaction of Ophthalmology and Obstetrics for the benefit of the mother and the child requires a basic understanding of these complex interactions. This article aims at presenting to the reader in a simplified and organized manner the common ophthalmic issues encountered in a pregnant woman, their management and the effect of various ophthalmic medication on the fetus.

The eye and visual system in pregnancy, what to expect? An in-depth review

Pregnancy represents a real challenge to all body systems. Physiological changes can involve any of the body organs including the eye and visual system. The ocular effect of pregnancy involves a wide spectrum of physiologic and pathologic changes. The latter might be presenting for the first time during pregnancy such as corneal melting and corneal ectasia, or an already existing ocular pathologies that are modified by pregnancy such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. In addition, pregnancy can affect vision through systemic disease that are either specific to the pregnant state itself such as the pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and Sheehan's syndrome, or systemic diseases that occur more frequently in relation to pregnancy such as Graves' disease, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, anti-phospholipid syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Screening for diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy using photographic review clinics

AIMS

To assess the efficacy and value of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for digital photographic screening for diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy using photographic review clinics.

METHODS

Pregnant patients (n = 186) with known diabetes were screened at first antenatal visit and at 28 weeks' gestation, if no retinopathy was noted at first visit, or at other intervals if retinopathy was present. Two 45° images (disc-centred and macula-centred views) were taken in both eyes and graded by trained graders and by an ophthalmologist.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients (50%) remained free of diabetic retinopathy throughout pregnancy. Eighteen (10%) presented with sight-threatening retinopathy at their first antenatal screen and were referred to the hospital eye service. Fifty patients (27%) were shown to have relatively stable retinopathy throughout pregnancy, with only two patients deteriorating and requiring referral to hospital eye service. Twenty-three (12%) failed to complete the screening protocol after their first screen.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that pregnant patients screened for retinopathy in an ophthalmic photographic diabetic review clinic achieved National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines in the majority and were clinically safe. Only 1% of patients required referral to ophthalmology after their initial screen, thus avoiding unnecessary hospital eye service appointments.

Current epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema

With increasing global prevalence of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is set to be the principle cause of vision impairment in many countries. DR affects a third of people with diabetes and the prevalence increases with duration of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension-the major risk factors for the onset and progression of DR. There are now increasing data on the epidemiology of diabetic macular edema (DME), an advanced complication of DR, with studies suggesting DME may affect up to 7 % of people with diabetes. The risk factors for DME are largely similar to DR, but dyslipidemia appears to play a more significant role. Early detection of DR and DME through screening programs and appropriate referral for therapy is important to preserve vision in individuals with diabetes. Future research is necessary to better understand the potential role of other risk factors such as apolipoproteins and genetic predisposition to shape public health programs.

Pregnancy-induced sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in women with Type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To determine the progression of diabetic retinopathy in pregnant women with diabetes offered tight glycaemic and blood pressure control.

METHODS

A prospective study of 102 (87%) out of 117 consecutive pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes for median 16 years (range 1-36) and HbA(1c) 6.7% (4.9-10.8) in early pregnancy. Fundus photography was performed at 8 and 27 weeks. Retinopathy was classified in five stages. Diabetic macular oedema was classified as present in a mild form or as clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO). Progression was defined as at least one stage of deterioration of retinopathy and/or development of macular oedema in at least one eye. Sight-threatening progression was defined as loss of visual acuity>or=0.2 on Snellen's chart or laser treatment performed during pregnancy due to proliferative retinopathy or CSMO.

RESULTS

Diabetic retinopathy was present at inclusion in at least one eye in 64 (63%) women and proliferative retinopathy and macular oedema were present in nine and 16 women, respectively. Progression of retinopathy occurred in 28 (27%) women. Sight-threatening progression occurred in six women; in three, visual acuity deteriorated and four required laser treatment. Sight-threatening progression was associated with presence of macular oedema (P=0.007), impaired visual acuity (P=0.03) and higher blood pressure (P=0.016) in early pregnancy, but not with HbA1c, decline in HbA1c, or prevalence of severe hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of visual acuity and the need for laser treatment during diabetic pregnancy remain clinical problems associated with presence of macular oedema, visual impairment and higher blood pressure in early pregnancy.