Sight-Saving Surgery on Pregnant Woman Battling Diabetes and Eye Complications
Dubai, UAE – July 20 2024 – Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE recently undertook a highly intricate surgical case involving a pregnant 39-year-old woman suffering from a complex blend of ocular conditions linked to long-standing diabetes and hypertension. The case was managed by Dr. Elisa Carreras, Consultant Ophthalmologist with over 17 years of experience in the surgical management of retinal and cataract disorders.
The patient, in her eighth month of pregnancy, first visited Barraquer Eye Hospital on July 18, 2024, seeking further care after undergoing prior retinal surgery on her right eye in 2023. She presented with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and tractional retinal detachment in her right eye, as well as age-related cataracts in both eyes. Complicating her condition was a history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure.
Despite the challenges posed by her advanced pregnancy and the severity of her ocular complications, Dr. Carreras and the Barraquer team proceeded with a carefully tailored surgical plan that included:
RIGHT EYE PHACOEMULSIFICATION + IOL IMPLANTATION + REMOVAL OF SILICONE OIL + 23G PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY + MEMBRANE PEELING (DELAM/SEGMENTATION) + ENDOLASER + 5000 CENTISTOKE SILICONE OIL REPLACEMENT
(Performed on December 17, 2024)
This comprehensive approach addressed both the cataract and retinal detachment, while ensuring the safety of both mother and fetus. The patient’s vision has been reported as stabilizing, with encouraging signs of recovery following the intervention.
“This case exemplifies the need for a multidisciplinary approach when managing high-risk ocular conditions in pregnant patients,” said Dr. Carreras. “We had to navigate complex interplays between systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, and their devastating impact on the eye—while also ensuring that the mother’s pregnancy remained uncompromised.”
Key Medical Insights:
• Pregnancy can accelerate diabetic eye disease, especially in cases with poor glycemic control.
• The co-occurrence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, ocular hypertension, and cataracts presents an unusual challenge that demands a high level of surgical expertise.
• Early detection and timely intervention can significantly improve visual outcomes even in such multifaceted cases.
This case is a testament to Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE’s commitment to personalized and specialized eye care, especially for patients with systemic and vision-threatening conditions.
About Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE
Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE is part of the internationally renowned Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre, providing state-of-the-art care in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of eye diseases. With a team of highly specialized consultants and advanced technology, the hospital is dedicated to delivering world-class outcomes for patients across the region.
