[Eye diseases and control of labor. Studies of changes in the eye in labor exemplified by subconjunctival hemorrhage (hyposphagmas)].

The possible significance of subconjunctival bleedings (hyposphagmas) as a symptom for other pathological changes of the eye was studied in a group of 354 postpartum patients. They were found in 10.5% of the cases. A relatively higher frequency occurred in primiparas. No other maternal factors than parity were detected as of statistically significant influence. A slightly higher percentage in mothers with large newborn (above average cranial circumference) indicates a relationship to the necessary bearing-down effort. In a second study, 49 postpartum women with subconjunctival bleeding were examined by an ophthalmologist. Neither any intraocular or retrobulbar bleeding nor any other grievous damage to the eye were found. In accordance with the literature we recommend, that highly myopic pregnant women (even with a previous history of retinal detachment, but ophthalmologically sufficiently treated) should undergo induced delivery. However, the approach to pregnant women with retinal detachment occurring and treated during pregnancy, or to glaucoma-patients with risk to a small remaining visual field, should be more careful. In those cases, a vaginal operative delivery procedure (forceps, vacuum-extraction) is recommended. Nevertheless, one should consider individual wishes of the mother, when striving to diminish the risk to the foetus. The same applies to irrational fears related to previously damaged (and possibly only functional) eye.