Comparing Anterior Segment Parameters During Pregnancy and Post-Pregnancy
Condition: Pregnancy Related
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is to evaluate anterior segment changes during and after pregnancy, and
      compare them with non pregnant healty women
    

Detailed description: 
      Pregnancy is a physiological process in which many systems such as cardiovascular, pulmonary,
      renal, hematological and visual systems are affected, especially the endocrine system. Many
      organs, including the eye and orbit, are affected by the physiological interaction between
      the fetus and the mother. In most pregnant women, these effects are at the physiological
      level and are temporary; Sometimes it can be pathological and permanent. Hormonal,
      coagulative and hemodynamic changes are responsible for most of the ocular adaptations.
      Changes in corneal curvature, sensitivity and thickness are observed during pregnancy. It has
      been reported that corneal curvature increases with pregnancy, this increase occurs in the
      last trimester and returns to first trimester values at the end of the breastfeeding period.
      Although the etiology of this steepening of the cornea has not been clearly clarified, it is
      thought that it may be due to corneal edema caused by hormonal changes. However, it's not
      recommended for pregnant women to prescribe contact lenses because their variable
      keratometric values. A decrease in corneal sensitivity during pregnancy has been detected by
      esthesiometry in many studies. It decreases especially in the third trimester and returns to
      normal around the 2nd month after delivery. The corneal thickness measured by pachymeter may
      increase in pregnant women. some of them had myopic shift. In a study, 83 pregnant women were
      examined to determine the causes of visual disturbances during pregnancy and postpartum
      period. Previous studies reported that there was a change in favor of myopia (-0.9±0.3D)
      during pregnancy and it returned to pre-pregnancy levels in the postpartum period. Unstable
      refractions were thought to be due to changes in corneal thickness and curvature.

      As a result, it was stated that the refractive change was temporary and in favor of myopia.
      It is recommended to wait up to several weeks postpartum before prescribing new eyeglasses
      [8].

      There are various reports about IOP in normal pregnant women. In most of these studies, a
      decrease was found in IOP during pregnancy. In a prospective study, a decrease in IOP was
      found in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and it was shown that this change
      returned in the first month postpartum.

      Before planning an anterior segment surgeries such as cataract and refractive surgery,
      changes in pregnancy should be taken into account and attention should be paid to surgical
      timing. The aim of this study is to reveal whether there is a change in anterior segment
      parameters in pregnancy period
    

Intervention name(s): Comprehensive Ophthalmologic Examination
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): Measurements of best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, intraocular pressure, axial length, slit lamp examination of the anterior segment, dilated fundus examination, and anterior segment parameters,corneal topography
Other intervention name(s): Corneal Topography; Biometry; Auto refractometry; Non contact tonometry
Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Pregnan women in their first pregnancy will be followed-up during pregnancy period (first,
        second, third trimesters) and post partum period.

        Healthy age-, sex- matched control group will be used to compare
      
Keywords: Pregnancy; Anterior segment; Corneal Topography; Biometry