AIM: To investigate the progress, prevention and cure effect of diabetic retinopathy(DR)during pregnancy.

METHODS: Eighty-four gravidas were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients were divided into three groups, group A consisting of 28 gravidas with gestational diabetic mellitus(GDM)with DR, group B consisting of 28 gravidas with GDM alone, and group C consisting of 28 normal gravidas. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)were determined and fundus photography was performed at 6, 9 months of pregnancy and 6 months after parturition respectively.

RESULTS: During pregnancy, the morbidity of GDM and DR was respectively 5.6% and 16.7%; the progress rate of gestational DR was 39.3%. At 9 months of pregnancy, the mean BCVA of group A was significantly poorer than that of group B or C(P<0.05)while there was no significant difference in BCVA between group B and C(P>0.05). The BCVA of group A at 9 months of pregnancy was poorer than that at 6 months of pregnancy or 6 months after parturition. At all times, the mean level of HbAlc of group A were significantly higher than that of group B or C(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: DR progressing during pregnancy may be related to the increased HbAlc level, so close monitoring and control of blood glucose may help to reduce the visual impairment among DM gravidas.