Pregnancy can affect almost every part of a woman’s body and health, including her eyes. An estimated 14% of pregnant women report experiencing visual changes throughout their pregnancy, which often disappear on their own a few months after giving birth.

You can be more aware of any underlying medical conditions that your doctor may need to treat if you are aware of the various visual symptoms that can arise during pregnancy.

Normal Visual Changes During Pregnancy

Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is the most common visual symptom that pregnant women may experience. Hormonal changes are the primary reason of the temporary reduction of visual acuity, and your eyesight will most likely return to normal soon after giving birth.

Pregnancy hormones can encourage fluid retention in some areas of the body and cause the cornea to gradually thicken. Because the light entering the eye is not properly focused, vision may become fuzzy.

Gestational diabetes, which affects 6-9% of expectant moms, is less commonly associated with blurred vision. An increase in blood sugar affects the focusing lens of the eye, causing blurred vision. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, especially gestational diabetes, it is advisable to make an appointment for an eye examination to screen for retinal abnormalities.

Blurred vision is another common side effect of dry eye syndrome, which is brought on by tears that don’t adequately lubricate the eyes and can be brought on by or exacerbated by pregnancy.

Eye Dryness

Pregnancy hormones can cause a reduction in the amount of tears your eyes produce or affect the quality of the tears. These changes can affect a woman throughout her entire pregnancy, but studies show that eye dryness is particularly common in the last trimester. For this reason, some women find it difficult to wear contact lenses in their third trimester and temporarily switch to glasses.

Eye Puffines

Another part of the body that increases during pregnancy is the eyelids and the tissues around them.

Pregnancy-induced water retention may make your eyelashes appear fuller than they were before you became pregnant. You may also see darker areas under the eyes. If you have puffy eyes, try reducing your intake of salt and caffeine as they might exacerbate the disease.

Visual Changes That May Indicate a Problem

The following visual changes warrant a prompt call to your eye doctor or obstetrician to rule out any underlying complications.

Flashes or floaters

Seeing stars during pregnancy can signal high blood pressure, which is associated with preeclampsia — a serious medical condition that requires close monitoring by your physician and possible treatment.

It’s crucial to have your blood pressure monitored throughout your pregnancy, as preeclampsia can potentially endanger the life of mother and child, as well as damage the cornea and retina.

Temporary vision loss

Temporary vision loss is concerning for pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. Vision loss is another warning sign of preeclampsia, so contact your doctor promptly if you suddenly lose any portion of your visual field.

Sensitivity to light

Light-sensitivity can either be a normal side effect of fluid retention in the eye, or it can signal dangerously high blood pressure and preeclampsia.

How We Can Help

Our aim at Eye Fashion Optical is to maintain the health of your eyes and eyesight throughout and after your pregnancy. We can assist if you have any visual complaints by doing a comprehensive eye exam to identify the underlying reason and provide you advice on what to do next.

Pregnancy is a good time to prioritize self-care, which includes getting thorough eye care.

To schedule an eye exam or learn more about our eye care services, call Eye Fashion Optical in Waco today!

Q&A With Our Eye Doctor in Waco, Texas

Why are regular eye exams important?

To detect changes in your prescription, even during pregnancy, and early signs of eye issues, it is imperative that you have regular assessments by an optometrist. Many serious eye diseases don’t cause any symptoms until they’ve progressed to the point where they could cause irreversible vision damage. Regardless of whether you wear glasses or contact lenses for vision correction, ask your optometrist how often you should make an appointment for a routine eye exam.

Will my baby need an eye exam after  birth?

According to the American Optometric Association and the Canadian Association of Optometrists, babies should have an eye exam within the first 6-12 months of life, even in the absence of noticeable vision problems. Healthy vision is a significant part of healthy overall development, so be sure not to skip your baby’s eye exams!