Choroidal Perfusion Abnormalities in the Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, and HELLP Syndrome Complex

Definition

Pregnancy complicated with the abnormalities encompassed by the multisystemic spectrum of preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome may be accompanied by segmental or generalized arteriolar spasm, arterial and venous occlusive disease, serous retinal detachments, and yellow, placoid discolorations of the retinal pigment epithelium. These manifestations are due to vascular compromise in the retinal and choroidal circulations and are predominantly transient.

Preeclampsia is an obstetrical complication that typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and generalized edema. It is subclassified as mild and severe and upgraded to eclampsia when it is superimposed by seizures. The Report of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy released in November 2013 recommended that the presence of alternative systemic findings observed with new-onset hypertension can fulfill...