Optical coherence tomography angiography A window into retinal health in anemic pregnant women | Scientific Program 2026

Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, India

Title: Optical coherence tomography angiography A window into retinal health in anemic pregnant women

Abstract:

Introduction:

Anaemia is one of the most common medical complications in pregnancy, affecting over 40% of pregnant women globally, with iron deficiency accounting for 90–95% of cases^[1]. It is associated with serious maternal risks—such as fatigue, preterm labour, and postpartum haemorrhage—as well as adverse foetal outcomes including low birth weight and developmental delays^[2]. Although blood tests diagnose anaemia, they do not enable frequent monitoring of severity or treatment response.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA), a rapid non-invasive tool, may reveal ocular changes before symptoms appear and allows quantitative assessment of retinal and choroidal vasculature (e.g., FAZ, perfusion density), aiding early detection and prevention of adverse outcomes^[3]. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced vessel density and altered FAZ morphology in patients with chronic anaemia. However, limited data exist on retinal vascular changes in anaemia specific to pregnancy, a condition often of shorter duration but high physiological demand.^[4,5]

Aim and Objectives:

To evaluate retinal microvascular and optic nerve head alterations in anaemic pregnant women using OCTA, compared with healthy controls

To assess and compare retinal microvascular changes (Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ), Perfusion Density (PD) in superficial and deep capillary plexuses, and Flow Deficit (FD) in the choriocapillaris) and Optic nerve head changes using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) in anaemic pregnant women (PA) versus healthy pregnant controls (HC).
To assess trimester-specific differences in the above Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)parameters in anaemic pregnant women diagnosed in the first trimester (PA FT) & second/third trimester (PA ST) compared to healthy pregnant controls(HC).
To explore correlations between hemoglobin levels and OCTA metrics, determining if lower Hb values predict more pronounced microvascular changes

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Age >= 18 years with a Singleton pregnancy with anemia as case group & age matched healthy pregnant women as controls.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1.Hypertension during pregnancy

2.Pregestational diabetes

3.Anaemia caused by chronic diseases (e.g., cancers, tuberculosis)

4.History of ocular surgery

5.Presence of ocular diseases, including Cataracts, Glaucoma, Fundus changes due to pathological myopia

Materials and Methods:

Study Design: A Case–Control Study
Study Duration: 1 year
Study Method: Convenient sampling.
Study Population: Pregnant women with or without anemia who visit R. L. Jalappa Hospital and Research, Kolar.
Sample Size: 76 in each group

Age Distribution Comparison Between Two Groups

	Group						P value
	Pregnant Women with Anemia			Pregnant Women without Anemia
	Mean	SD	Median	Mean	SD	Median
Age	29.71	6.51	29	29.47	5.96	28	0.869

Retinal microvascular changes due to anemia begin early in pregnancy.
Changes do not significantly worsen in 2nd or 3rd trimester—except flow density, which suggests gradual adaptation/exhaustion of retinal circulation.
OCTA can detect subtle functional blood flow changes before structural changes.

Significant Change:

FD Central (CC %) decreases from 4.31 → 3.83
Indicates reduction in choriocapillaris perfusion as pregnancy advances.
Mild but non-significant change

FAZ Perimeter shows slight increase.

No trimester-based difference

FAZ Area,FAZ Circularity,PD Central,PD Outer

Optic nerve thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters did not show statistically significant variation between groups.

Conclusion:

OCTA provides a non-invasive, quantitative method to evaluate retinal and optic nerve head changes in anaemic pregnant women.
This study may establish ocular biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of anaemia, offering a valuable adjunct to traditional blood tests.
Early recognition of such changes could aid in preventing adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, and support the integration of OCTA into routine antenatal care for high-risk pregnancies.

Biography:

Dr. Chaitra M C is a highly experienced medical professional currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar. With 14 years of teaching experience, she is deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate, postgraduate, and Allied Health Sciences students. Her core areas of interest include cataracts, uvea, ocular trauma, medical education, medical ethics, and research. She completed her M.B.B.S. at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, and her M.S. in Ophthalmology at M V J Medical College & Research Center, Bangalore, both affiliated with RGUHS University. During her master's program, she authored a thesis titled "A clinical study of dacryocystitis". To complement her clinical knowledge, she pursued Post Graduate Diplomas in Medico Legal Systems (PGDMLS) and Quality Management of Hospital and Healthcare Organizations (PGDQMHHO) from SSODL, Pune. Additionally, she completed a Masterclass in Clinical Ophthalmology approved by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 2021 and underwent advanced training in Medical Education Technologies at the NMC nodal Centre, CMC Vellore.

Clinically, Dr. Chaitra is highly skilled in general ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgeries. She is competent in performing Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) and proficiently manages complications while training post-graduate students. Her surgical repertoire also includes oculoplasty, dacryocystectomy, therapeutic keratoplasty, and retinal laser procedures for diabetic patients. At her institution, she is actively in charge of Retinopathy of Prematurity screening and treatment. Beyond her clinical and teaching duties, Dr. Chaitra holds significant leadership and administrative responsibilities. She has been a postgraduate guide for M.S. Ophthalmology and M. Optometry students for three years and served as the Department Registrar for over six years until December 2024. She currently acts as the Convenor of the Scientific Review Board, a task force member for NAAC's 7th criteria, a core member of the Learning Management System, and a member of the Board of Studies for Allied Health Sciences. Externally, she extends her expertise as an external board member of the Research Advisory Committee at Apollo University and has guided an MBA student from Mysuru University. An avid researcher, Dr. Chaitra has published 51 scientific papers in indexed journals and holds an H-index of 4. She has actively participated in and presented oral papers and posters at numerous state, national, and international conferences. Her research portfolio includes multiple funded and non-funded multidisciplinary projects.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field, Dr. Chaitra was honoured with the Distinguished Researcher Award in Ophthalmology in January 2026 by the International Scientific Laurels Committee. Furthermore, she was awarded the prestigious Honorary Membership of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS) at the 65th convocation held at PGIMER, Chandigarh, in November 2025. She is registered with the Karnataka Medical Council and maintains active affiliations with the Karnataka Ophthalmic Society, All India Ophthalmic Society, Women Ophthalmologists Society, and is a life member of the Epidemiology Foundation of India.