Ophthalmic artery velocimetry in normotensive and preeclamptic women with or without photophobia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare ophthalmic arterial velocimetry in normotensive and preeclamptic gravidas with and without photophobia.


METHODS
Ophthalmic arteries were studied by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in 118 normotensive pregnant women, 20 gravidas with preeclampsia and no visual symptoms, and 11 with preeclampsia, photophobia, and retinal edema.


RESULTS
The ophthalmic arterial pulsatility index (PI) correlated negatively with gestational age (y = -0.01x + 1.84, r = -0.41, P<.01). Pulsatility index in preeclamptics with photophobia (0.71+/-0.17) was lowest among the three groups (P<.01) and was highest in normotensive pregnant women (1.41+/-0.21, P<.01). Mean velocity in normotensive pregnant women (0.19+/-0.05 m/second) was highest among the groups (P<.01) and was not significantly different in preeclamptic women with no visual symptoms (0.27+/-0.03 m/second) and with photophobia (0.30+/-0.02 m/second).


CONCLUSIONS
Preeclamptic women, especially those with photophobia, have orbital vascular vasodilation or hyperperfusion, or both.
Ohno
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital, Japan.
Kawai
M
M
Wakahara
Y
Y
Kitagawa
T
T
Kakihara
M
M
Arii
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*