Evaluation of visual impairment in pregnancy induced hypertension

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pregnancy induced hypertension is considered as the major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in developing as well as developed countries complicating 7 – 10% of all pregnancies. Since fundus changes are very good gauge for severity of hypertension for differentiating chronic hypertension in pregnancy induced hypertension, the current study was conducted to assess the visual impairment in relation to the fundus changes in antenatal women with pregnancy induced hypertension. Materials and methods: 56 Pregnant females admitted with pregnancy induced hypertension in Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute were evaluated thoroughly for eye signs and fundus examination with direct and indirect ophthalmoscope. Results: The most common fundus changes observed were grade 1 and grade 2 hypertensive retinopathy with grade 3 and grade 4 hypertensive retinopathy the least found. Conclusion: The current study concludes that retinal changes leads to poor visual and systemic prognosis and a premature delivery of fetus gives a better prognosis.