Pregnancy’s Invisible Impact on Vision: Tracking Acuity and Refractive Alterations

Abstract

Objective: To find the impact of pregnancy on visual acuity and refractive changes.

Study design: It was a  Descriptive Hospital based study.

Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi from from July  to December 2023.

Material and Methods: The study started on 1st July  2023. All the patients were referred to the refraction room of eye OPD of Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi for vision. The data was collected on a specifically designed Performa. Visual impairment was calculated on the basics of auto refractometer, and subjective refraction.

Results: Results were drawn based on selected variables i.e. gender, age and pregnant women.During the observation period, 65 patients were enrolled in the study, with 60 providing positive responses and 5 opting out. Ten patients had incomplete records and did not complete the required follow-up tests. The study focused on 50 pregnant women, aged between 18 and 47, with the majority in the 28–37 age range. Vision loss was reported across various pregnancies, with a higher frequency in later pregnancies. 27 were already using glasses, and 43 exhibited a myopic shift in refractive status.

Conclusion: The results indicate a diverse pattern of visual changes and refractive errors across various age groups and pregnancy trimesters. The higher prevalence of myopia (43 cases) compared to hypermetropia (6 cases) highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring of visual health during pregnancy. The study emphasizes the necessity of thorough eye examinations throughout pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters, to identify and address potential refractive errors. Timely intervention and corrective measures can help maintain the visual health of pregnant women and may reduce the risk of visual complications during and after pregnancy.