Pregnancy,
Labor & Eye Pressure: What You Need to Know!
What could pregnancy, labor and your eye
pressure have to do with one another?
For the clear majority of “new moms to be” the thought of their upcoming
labor can cause them to voice concerns about their physical as well as emotional
wellbeing. Typically, your obstetrician will be a sound source of information
about what to expect in terms of pain, discomfort and how they will help you
manage the physical discomfort and stress of labor. From time to time we have a
patient who is pregnant and who has a family history of glaucoma or is perhaps
“ocular hypertensive,” meaning that they have had a high intraocular pressure
(IOP) measurement as part of their annual routine eye exam who shares their
concern about the physical stress of labor and if there is any chance of eye
and optic nerve damage during delivery. Fortunately, recent data from a study
we reviewed in the Journal of
Glaucoma
showed us that eye pressure and blood flow into the optic nerve during the various stages of vaginal labor are
not changed and there is no increased risk to those who have a family history
of glaucoma or high eye pressure. Mom’s to be can put this fear to rest!
If you are pregnant and have a family history
of glaucoma or have been told that you at risk for glaucoma due to a high eye
pressure, please be reassured that labor and delivery will not expose you to
greater risk. It is important however to continue your regular eye exams-even
during pregnancy-and especially if you experience any changes in your vision or
general eye health! Please call Center for Sight 508-730-2020, visit Center
for Sight,
Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.
Center for Sight is
conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall
River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from
Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
