Effect of Age and Parity on Physiological Changes in the Eye During Pregnancy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: The hormonal and metabolic changes that occur during uncomplicated pregnancy affect the eye. The effects of maternal age and parity on the physiological eye changes in pregnancy have been scarcely documented. Aim: To determine these effects on some physiological eye changes that occur in pregnancy. Methods: A longitudinal study involving consecutively recruited 140 pregnant women aged 18–48 years attending antenatal clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. A structured questionnaire was administered to consenting women, after which the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (tBUT), corneal sensitivity, central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in the second and third trimesters, and six weeks after delivery. Results: The mean CCT showed a significantly greater increase among the multiparous (≥para 2) women in both the second and third trimesters compared with the primigravida/primiparous women (P = 0.032 and 0.049, respectively). There was no difference in mean CCT between the two parity groups at six weeks postpartum. Women aged 18–35 years showed a significantly greater increase in the mean CCT in the second trimester compared to those aged less than 35 years (P = 0.04). However, there was no difference in the mean CCT between the different age groups in the third trimester and at six weeks postpartum. Conclusion: The age and parity of women affect their level of CCT changes in pregnancy. Consideration of this effect may guide clinicians on their approaches to eye care and treatment during pregnancy.