Aqueous Humor Flow Rate and Intraocular Pressure during and after Pregnancy

Abstract

Intraocular pressure and aqueous humor formation rate have been determined from the first trimester of pregnancy through term, with further determinations 3 months postpartum, in 7 patients. The intraocular pressure showed a consistent, statistically significant fall during pregnancy, returning to values seen in early pregnancy after delivery. Aqueous humor formation rate showed no change during pregnancy. The data indicate that the sustained elevated hormonal levels during pregnancy, either directly or indirectly, cause an increase in fluid outflow conductance from the eye without altering the rate of fluid entry.

Anti‐glaucoma medication exposure in pregnancy: an observational study and literature review

“…10,11 Moreover, it has been reported that physiologic changes during pregnancy (especially in late pregnancy) lead to a mild decrease in the IOP compared to the pressure before pregnancy. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] This change obviates using multiple classes of antiglaucoma medications to control IOP. After delivery, the oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors were replaced by topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and latanoprost in all patients.…”

To Study the Intraocular Pressure and Blood Pressure Changes in Pre and Post-Menopausal Indian Women

“…In the literature, there is an evidence for a direct effect of endogenous hormonal changes on aqueous humor circulation. [12,13,14,15] Population based studies have shown that IOP is equal between the sexes in ages of 20 to 40 yrs .In older age group, an increase in mean IOP with age is greater in females than males. The use of hormone replacement therapy and the protective effect of endogenous hormones could explain the gender difference.…”

Intraocular pressure variation in pregnancy: a prospective study

“…The increased levels of estrogen, progesterone and other placental hormones during pregnancy may play an important role in maintaining the IOP. 1,[6][7][8] IOP may affect women of childbearing age. A decrease in intraocular pressure has been observed during pregnancy and often persists for few months after delivery.…”

“…This result in a gradual, statistically significant fall of the IOP during pregnancy. [6][7][8][9] Progesterone has glucocorticoid antagonistic properties and this antagonistic action helps in the lowering of the IOP. The changes in the aqueous dynamics are consistent with the hypothesis that excess progesterone, during pregnancy, blocks the ocular hypertensive effect of endogenous corticosteroids.…”