Evaluation of Choroidal Thickness during Pregnancy and Post-partum: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to assess the longitudinal changes of choroidal thickness using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) during pregnancy and post-partum.Methods: The study included 23 eyes of 23 healthy pregnant women and 23 eyes of 23 healthy non-pregnant women. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured manually with EDI-OCT at seven locations: the fovea, 500, 1000 and 1500 μm temporal (T) from the fovea and 500, 1000 and 1500 μm nasal (N) from the fovea. Measurements were obtained at each pregnancy trimester and 6 weeks post-partum and in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle for the control group.Results: The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 410.2 ± 82.4 μm, 434.8 ± 79.6 μm, 433.5 ± 80.3 μm, and 395.0 ± 71.1 μm in the first, second and third trimesters and 6 weeks post-partum, respectively. In all seven measured locations, statistically significant changes were noted during pregnancy and post-partum in the choroidal thickness (p<0.001). Choroidal thickness increased from the first trimester to the second and third trimester, after which it decreased at post-partum. Choroidal thickness was greater in the pregnant group during pregnancy and post-partum compared to the control group (p<0.001).Conclusion: This study indicated significant change in choroidal thickness at seven locations measured with EDI-OCT throughout pregnancy and 6 weeks after delivery. We showed that 6 weeks after delivery, choroidal thickness remains significantly higher than non-pregnant subjects.