STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE AND OCULAR CHANGES OF PATIENTS HAVING PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION IN A TERTIARY CARE RURAL HOSPITAL

Purpose: To study clinical profile and ocular changes of patients having Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and to find the anterior and posterior segment changes. Materials and Methods: A hospital based, descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from March 2023 to December 2023. A total of 150 patients with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) were screened and evaluated. Evaluation was done on basis of detailed history and examination including bedside visual acuity, torch light examination and fundus examination. Demographic data and other significant findings were noted. Patients with PIH exhibiting ophthalmic symptoms or referred for fundoscopic evaluation were included in the study. Patients with history of pre-existing hypertension, convulsions and history of previous ocular surgery were excluded from the study. Results: Out of 150 patients studied, maximum PIH patients with ocular changes were in the age group of 28-32 years. The distribution of PIH patients with ocular changes was almost equivalent between primigravida (29.48%) and multigravida (30.55%). A total of 4.66% patients had anterior segment findings like chemosis (3.33%), subconjunctival hemorrhage (0.66%) and lid edema (0.66%). Out of 150 patients, 70% of patients had normal fundus findings. Among those with hypertensive retinopathy, 18% had Grade I, 3% had Grade II, 7% had Grade III and 2% had Grade IV changes. Arteriolar attenuation was the most common retinal sign seen in 27.33% of patients. Conclusion: In our study,150 patients of PIH were studied in which 4.66% patients showed anterior segment changes and 30% showed posterior segment changes. Presence of ocular changes is an indirect marker of severity of PIH and is of prognostic value.