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 well being. 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 D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care,
Google+
or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout
greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts with office locations at 479
Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite
119, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton,
Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main
Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440.
