Pregnancy & Eye Health: A 31-Week Gestation Case Study

Question
hi!
I am 30 years old,my 1st conception and delivery have completed 31 weeks of gestation.My pregnancy has been fine except for a subchorionic rupture in the 4th-5th week but I was allowed to go ahead with the pregnancy.
I was also operated upon(keratoplasty)12 years ago for myopia (-10) in the right eye which is now(-2).My left vision is -4 and wasnt operated upon.Recently during one of the opthalmology consult the specialist after inspection of the eyes said that the fundus is ok, but due to the previous high myopia,presence of post operative sutures recommended C-SECTION esp if the labour would be strenous.I have no other contraindications for normal delivery.
I was so keen on normal delivery that feel a bit disappointed.
Kindly advise me on how to go about the delivery?Cant we try for normal delivery and if the labour is prolonged go for a C-section?
thanks,
     ..kapila


Answer
In 25 years of practice, I have never been asked to perform an elective cesarean section due to sutures in the eye. Labor often causes ruptured blood vessels in the eye (if the patient pushes incorrectly) but I have never seen any problems with patients who have had previous eye surgery or keratoplasty. I would suggest that you have your obstetrician speak to your ophthalmologist and discuss the pros and cons of vaginal delivery. I see no contraindication to vaginal delivery, but you have to follow the advice of your eye doctors.