Soma-Pillay, PriyaPillay, R.Wong, T.Y.Makin, J.D. (Jennifer Dianne)Pattinson, Robert Clive2018-04-202018-04-202018-09Soma-Pillay, P., Pillay, R., Wong, T.Y. et al. 2018, 'The effect of pre-eclampsia on retinal microvascular caliber at delivery and post-partum', Obstetric Medicine, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 116-120.1753-495X (print)1753-4968 (online)10.1177/1753495X17745727http://hdl.handle.net/2263/64670BACKGROUND : The retinal microcirculation provides a unique view of microvessel structure by means of non-invasive, retinal image analysis. The aim of the study was to compare the retinal vessel caliber at delivery and one-year post-partum between women who have had pre-eclampsia during pregnancy to a normotensive control group. METHODS : Digital photos of the eye were taken at delivery and one-year post-partum. Retinal vessels were analysed and summarised as the corrected central retinal arteriolar equivalent and corrected central retinal venular equivalent. RESULTS : The corrected central retinal arteriolar equivalent and corrected central retinal venular equivalent were significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic group compared to the control group both at delivery and one-year post-partum (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION : Retinal artery and venular caliber changes that occur during pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia persist for up to one-year post-partum. These changes may reflect a permanent, long-term microvascular dysfunction and may be useful as a biomarker of future vascular risk.en© The Author(s) 2018Retinal microvascular calibrePre-eclampsiaHypertensionPostprint Article