European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the fundus changes in patients withGestational
hypertension,preeclampsia oreclampsia.
Methods: All the patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of Gestational
hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia(>20 weeks of pregnancy, high arterial blood
pressure of more than or equal to 140/90 , proteinuria more than or equal to
300mg/day or protein creatinine ratio more than or equal 30 mg/mmol or evidence of
maternal organ dysfunction or uteroplacental dysfunction , convulsions or coma) were
included in this study. After taking history for any eyesymptoms, anterior segment was
examined with torch light on the bed itself. Both pupils were dilated with 1%
tropicamide eye drops and fundus examination was done by ophthalmologist with direct
ophthalmoscope in a semi dark room in the ward. Hypertensive retinopathy changes
seen in right or left or both eyes, was taken as positive findings in that patient.
Results: A total of 100 patients were examined. The mean age of patients was 31.2±6.2
years (range 20-50 years). The gestation period ranged between 25 and 41 weeks. 45
(45%) were primigravidas , 33 (33%) were multigravidas and 22(22%) were
grandmultiparas. 41(41%) had mild preeclampsia, 56(56%) had severe preeclampsia
and 3(3%) had eclampsia. Retinal changes (hypertensive retinopathy) were noted in
58(58%) patients . There was statistically significant positive association between the
presence of retinal changes and blood pressure (P =0.001), proteinuria (P=0.021) and
severity of hypertensive disorders( P=0.027). However, age(P = 0.44), race ( P=0.89) and
gravida (P =0.37 were not associated with occurrence of retinopathy in our study.
Conclusion: Fundus examination in gestational hypertension , preeclampsia and
eclampsia is important in monitoring and managing cases as it correlates with severity
as it indirectly implies severity of changes in placental micro-circulation that can help to
predict the foetal outcome and ocular morbidity.