AIM: To evaluate the physiologic change of retinal thickness during pregnancy.

METHODS:Forty cases(80 eyes)were included two groups: 40 eyes(20 cases)in healthy pregnant women group(including in the second and last trimester), and 40 eyes(20 cases)in healthy nonpregnant women group(control group). The macular volume, average thickness, central subfield thickness and retinal thickness of other parafoveal areas were measured by optical coherence tomography scan.

RESULTS: The macular volume was 10.06±0.41mm³ and 9.87±0.30mm³ in healthy pregnant women group and control group respectively. The average thickness was 279.43±10.86μm and 274.25±8.07μm in healthy pregnant women group and control group respectively. The central subfield thickness was 235.15±15.05μm and 233.00±15.81μm in healthy pregnant women group and control group espectively. Statistically significant difference was found in macular volume and average thickness(P<0.05). The retinal thickness of 8 parafoveal areas in healthy pregnant women group increased comparing with control group, but statistical significance was only found in superior-outer area and inferior-outer area(P<0.05). OCT images of all cases were normal.

CONCLUSION: The macular retinal thickness increases during pregnancy in the second and last trimester. The physiologic change of retinal thickness should be considered when evaluating pathologic retinal disease of pregnant women.