Gestational hypertension continues to be a growing public health concern contributing to maternal morbidity, mortality, and long-term health complications in the U.S. While changes in vision—such as blurred sight, light sensitivity, or seeing spots—are symptoms of preeclampsia during pregnancy, emerging research suggests the impact on eye health may extend far beyond delivery. In addition to its effects on the brain, kidneys, liver, and blood, studies now show that preeclampsia may also be linked to serious, long-term vision complications later in life.

While existing research on eye-related complications during and after pregnancy is limited, often relying on small or single-center studies, a new study helps fill this gap. Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences examined the relationship between preeclampsia and long-term vision complications using a large, multi-center healthcare dataset in the U.S.

In this study, researchers analyzed patient data spanning 20 years (2004–2024) from the TriNetX US Collaborative Research Network, which includes over 70 healthcare organizations. They compared two groups: 139,959 pregnant patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and 1,935,751 pregnant patients without the condition. To ensure fair comparisons, researchers used a method called propensity score matching to balance the groups based on similar characteristics.

They also conducted a separate analysis focusing on patients aged 35 and older, since pregnancies at this age carry a higher risk of complications. The study tracked several serious eye conditions, including:

• Hypertensive retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the eye)
• Vascular occlusions (blockages in eye blood vessels)
• Papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve)
• Cortical visual impairment (vision problems caused by the brain)

Results showed that patients with a history of preeclampsia had significantly higher risks of developing these conditions over time. Compared to those without preeclampsia, they were:

• Nearly twice as likely to develop hypertensive retinopathy and vascular occlusions
• About 60% more likely to develop papilledema
• More than four times as likely to develop cortical visual impairment

For patients aged 35 and older, the risk of cortical visual impairment increased nearly sevenfold, suggesting that older maternal age may further amplify the long-term vascular effects of preeclampsia.

There was no significant difference between groups for certain conditions like central serous chorioretinopathy or serous retinal detachment.

This study provides some of the strongest evidence to date that preeclampsia can have lasting effects on vision health well beyond pregnancy. It reinforces that preeclampsia is not just a temporary condition, but one that may reflect long-term changes to blood vessels in both the eyes and the brain. 

Take Home Message: Women who experience preeclampsia face a significantly higher lifetime risk of serious vision-threatening conditions, particularly those affecting blood vessels in the eye and vision processing in the brain. The risk is even greater for women who develop preeclampsia at age 35 or older. Therefore if you had preeclampsia during pregnancy, it may affect your eye health later in life. People with a history of preeclampsia were about four times more likely to develop cortical visual impairment and about two times more likely to experience other eye conditions related to blood flow and pressure. These findings highlight the importance of close monitoring and long-term follow-up. Regular eye exams and early detection can help identify and manage vision complications as soon as possible.

Citation: Jong S, Shakarchi FF, Rickels KL, Chauhan MZ, Shakarchi AF, Phillips PH, Sallam AB. Preeclampsia and risk of ophthalmic complications: a large United States cohort study. Eye (Lond). 2026 Apr;40(6):907–912. doi:10.1038/s41433-026-04292-9.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-026-04292-9

About Research Roundup:

Each quarter, our team of science writers reviews the most current research studies related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and summarizes those studies of greatest interest and potential impact to our community, including research studies related to risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Special thanks to our volunteer research team including Dr. Sig-Linda Jacobson, Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, Dr. Julie Reynolds, Amanda Yang, and Simren Gupta who make Research Roundup possible, and to our Patient Advisory Council, who reviews these materials from the patient perspective.