{"id":3518,"date":"2026-10-28T05:01:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T05:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.retina-eye.co.uk\/?p=3518"},"modified":"2026-10-28T05:17:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T05:17:06","slug":"pregnancy-and-diabetic-eye-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.retina-eye.co.uk\/zh\/post\/pregnancy-and-diabetic-eye-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy and Diabetic Eye Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

What women with diabetes need to know about retinopathy, macular oedema, screening and treatment<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Pregnancy can temporarily increase the risk that diabetic retinopathy will develop or worsen. This does not mean that every woman with diabetes will have eye problems. With the recommended retinal assessments, careful management of diabetes and timely treatment when needed, most women can be monitored safely through pregnancy and after birth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seek urgent eye advice if you develop sudden loss of vision, a new dark curtain or shadow, a sudden increase in floaters, flashing lights, or rapidly worsening distortion or blur.<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Oedema?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u7cd6\u5c3f\u75c5\u89c6\u7f51\u819c\u75c5\u53d8<\/span><\/a> is damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Early stages may cause no symptoms. More advanced disease can lead to abnormal new blood vessels, bleeding into the eye or, less commonly, retinal detachment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO)<\/span><\/a> occurs when damaged retinal blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the central part of the retina used for reading, recognising faces and seeing fine detail. DMO may cause blurred or distorted central vision, although it can also be found on imaging before a person notices symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Common Is It?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. Broad population estimates suggest that about one in three people with diabetes has some degree of retinopathy. DMO affects a smaller proportion, often quoted at around 7% of people with diabetes, but estimates vary with the population and the definition used.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no reliable UK figure for the exact number of pregnant women affected by DMO. Pregnancy-related DMO is mainly a concern in women who already had type 1 or type 2 diabetes before conception. Gestational diabetes, which is first diagnosed during pregnancy, does not usually cause retinopathy during that pregnancy because retinal damage generally develops over a longer period. An eye assessment may still be appropriate if previously unrecognised diabetes is suspected.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Can Pregnancy Affect Diabetic Eye Disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pregnancy produces hormonal, circulatory and metabolic changes that can accelerate diabetic retinal disease. Existing retinopathy may become more severe, and DMO may appear or worsen. The risk is greatest during pregnancy and can continue for a period after delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improving blood glucose control remains important for the health of both mother and baby. A rapid, substantial fall in HbA1c can sometimes be accompanied by short-term worsening of retinopathy, so the diabetes and eye teams should coordinate care when major treatment changes are expected. Retinopathy is not a reason to withhold necessary optimisation of blood glucose in early pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which is More Likely to Worsen?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The likelihood of progression varies between individuals. Risk is higher in women with:<\/span><\/p>\n