Ocular disease in pregnancy

Purpose of review: Pregnancy may cause ocular changes, both physiologic and pathologic, and may be associated with the development of new disease or may alter the course of preexisting disease. This paper discusses these changes and reviews diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, preeclampsia, cortical blindness and central serous chorioretinopathy. Recent findings: Recent reports have contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy and cortical blindness associated with preeclampsia, the impact of pregnancy on the course of inflammatory eye disease, and the use of optical coherence tomography in following central serous chorioretinopathy in pregnant women. Summary: This improved understanding of the pathophysiology of ocular disease in pregnancy and the impact of pregnancy on the course of preexisting ocular disease offers the opportunity for meaningful counseling of women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.