Pregnancy and the diabetic eye

Progression of diabetic retinopathy may occur during pregnancy. The worsening of retinopathy during pregnancy can be quite significant and may require photocoagulation during pregnancy, more frequently in those patients with pre‐existing diabetic retinopathy. Chronic hypertension and pregnancy‐induced hypertension are risk factors for progression of retinopathy during pregnancy. The glycosylated haemoglobin, duration of diabetes, current age, diastolic blood pressure, number of past pregnancies and current pregnancy status were evaluated as risk factors for progression of diabetic retinopathy. Poor metabolic control at conception is a risk factor for progression of diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy. Pre‐eclampsia or pregnancy‐induced hypertension as a possible risk factor for progression of diabetic retinopathy later in life. The established benefits of excellent diabetic control during pregnancy clearly outweigh the relatively minor effects noted in the fundi of the majority of patients who do not have significant pre‐existing retinopathy