Ocular posterior pole pathological modifications related to complicated pregnancy. A review.

Ocular posterior pole modification are a pathological manifestation in complicated pregnancies, especially when pregnancy induced hypertension is present (PIH), as well as in preeclampsia (PE) or eclampsia. Nonetheless, as the pregnancy evolves, the possibility for an aggravated evolution with HELLP syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura may have an ocular manifestation that, mainly, implies a loss of visual field or acuity, that, left unattended, may constitute a permanent impairment. Pregestational conditions like pituitary adenoma or genetic pedigree for complement factor H gene (1q31.1) single nucleotide mutations could lead to central serous chorioretinopathy or retinal detachment with severe, ischemic, central cilioretinal artery or vein occlusion and optic nerve atrophy. Furthermore, although subtle in many cases, any new visual symptoms during pregnancy should constitute an alarming factor for obstetrical reevaluation and ophthalmological approach in order to preserve the mother's quality of life.

Update on retinal vascular caliber.

Retinal vessels are the only blood vessels that can be viewed directly, in vivo, repetitively and non-invasively. Retinal vessel caliber is influenced by physiological (age, sex, race, blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index) and pathological (atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, smoking) determinants. There are studies on large population groups that demonstrate the associations between retinal vasculature and subclinical or clinical changes in systemic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, stroke, renal or cardiac diseases). The assessment of retinal vessels can provide information about the pathophysiology of many diseases, but it also has a direct applicability in clinic, being used as a screening method that predicts the risk of their occurrence.