ABSTRACT
AIM: To determine the prevalence of retinal changes in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) patients and to correlate between retinal changes and the severity of disease.METHODS: A cross-sectional observation study was conducted in 100 PIH patients over a period of 6mo (Dec 2014-May 2015).Fundus examination was done in all patients.Fundus changes in right or left or both eyes, was taken as positive.The PIH graded as mild pre-eclampsia (BP >140/90 to 160/90 mmHg), severe pre-eclampsia (BP>160/90 mmHg) and eclampsia (severe pre-eclampsia and convulsions).RESULTS:Mean age was 23.05y(19-34y).Gestation period ranged from 28 to 41wk.Sixty-two were primi gravida and 38 were multigravida.62%, 26%, 12% of patients had mild, severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia respectively.Retinal changes were identified in 8 patients.Grade Ⅰ, Grade Ⅱ, Grade Ⅲ, Grade Ⅳ hypertensive retinopathy (HTR), serous retinal detachment (SRD) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) observed in 1%, 0%, 2%, 2%, 1% and 2% of patients respectively.There was a statistically significant positive association of retinal changes and severity of the PIH (P=0.0001).CONCLUSION:Retinal changes were seen in 8% of patients with PIH and there is a positive correlation between retinal changes and severity of PIH.