Labor does not cause IOP increase in healthy women

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — IOP changes during labor were within the normal physiological diurnal range, according to a study.

"For the first time to our knowledge, we evaluated the effects of the three stages of labor on the IOP of women with healthy eyes. Our results may suggest that giving birth may not be hazardous for women with glaucoma," Noa Geffen, MD, said at the meeting of the European Society of Ophthalmology.

Noa Geffen

Although many ophthalmologists recommend an assisted delivery or a Caesarean section in case of pre-existing eye diseases, based on the assumption that IOP increases during the "pushing" stage of labor, there is no published evidence to support these recommendations.

To investigate the effects of labor on IOP, a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial was performed. Healthy pregnant women who were candidates for vaginal delivery were recruited at the acceptance to the delivery room.

Heartbeat, blood pressure and IOP were measured before, during, and at days 1 and 2 after delivery. In the pushing stage of delivery, IOP was measured after a contraction with active pushing.

Thirty women were recruited. Epidural anesthesia was performed in all the cases.

No significant increase in IOP was reported. The results of the study on healthy women suggested that IOP increase should probably not be a concern for women with glaucoma.

"Ideally we should perform a study directly on glaucoma patients, though it may be objectively difficult to organize," Geffen said.

Disclosure: Geffen has no relevant financial disclosures.