Retinopathy in pregnancy

Women with diabetes may benefit from laser treatment to prevent vision loss during pregnancy.

A study published in this month's Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (vol35 (3), 231) suggests that women with type 1 diabetes showing either severe non-proliferative retinopathy or proliferative retinopathy fared better if treated with laser photocoagulation prior to pregnancy.

That pregnancy is a risk factor for retinopathy progression has long been known but this study suggests pre-pregnancy strategy planning for the patient would be useful.