Therapeutic approach to ocular hypertension during pregnancy and lactation – clinical cases

The management of ocular hypertension and the various forms of glaucoma during pregnancy and lactation represents a significant clinical challenge. The main concerns are related to the selection of an appropriate therapeutic strategy, with special attention paid to the risks associated with treatment for both the mother and the fetus or breastfed infant. There is no universally accepted management protocol for these patients. Owing to the understandable lack of randomized clinical trials in this population, there is currently no officially approved antiglaucoma medication for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Selective laser trabeculoplasty is an excellent option for reducing intraocular pressure during pregnancy and lactation, particularly in view of its favorable safety profile. Two clinical cases of patients with ocular hypertension and elevated intraocular pressure who underwent selective laser trabeculoplasty are presented. A sustained and significant reduction in intraocular pressure was achieved. In both cases, the need for antiglaucoma medication was eliminated throughout the follow-up period.