5 Ways Your Vision Can Change During Pregnancy

Dryness

You may notice that your eyes have become drier. Dry eyes are common during pregnancy and are usually caused by hormonal changes. This can cause contact lens irritation, and you may experience a burning or itching sensation.

To combat this, you can use artificial tears to moisturize your eyes and ease the dryness. It is also important that you make sure you are drinking plenty of water. You may even want to switch out your contacts for your glasses for a while.

Puffy eyelids

A common symptom you may experience during pregnancy is puffiness around the eyes. This is caused by water retention and other hormonal changes.

Puffiness can be irritating and even cause fatigue. In extreme cases, you may also experience intense headaches.

To find relief, place a cold compress over your closed eyes in order to reduce swelling. Avoiding foods high in sodium and staying hydrated can also help relieve this pain.

Blurry vision

During pregnancy, many women retain fluids. As a result, this can temporarily change the shape of your cornea, and you may find that your eyesight has become blurry.

If your prescription eyewear is not helping as much as it typically does, speak to your eye doctor. Your doctor may advise you to wait until after giving birth to reassess your vision. However, if blurry vision makes it difficult to drive, read or work, your doctor can offer temporary corrective glasses.

Loss of vision 

Another one of the ways your vision can change during pregnancy is through a loss of vision or temporary eyesight loss. If you lose your sight, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately.

Vision loss, along with any other changes in eyesight during pregnancy, can be a sign of a more serious condition such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure disorder that can occur during pregnancy. This condition can cause you to experience many different changes in your vision.

This condition can cause damage to other organs, so it is important that you see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Loss of vision
• Light sensitivity
• Seeing flashing lights, spots, or unusual floaters

What treatments are necessary for blurred vision due to gestational diabetes?

In addition to taking good care of your eyes, you can manage blood sugar levels by:

• Avoiding processed foods, high-fat meals and sugary drinks.
• Eating a healthy diet with appropriate protein, fat and carbohydrate levels.
• Exercising to help your body use more glucose.

Your provider might prescribe insulin (as injections) for optimal blood sugar management.

Why is my vision blurry after pregnancy?

On rare occasions, vision remains blurry after pregnancy. For some people, it can take longer than expected — up to nine months — to reverse the effects of pregnancy hormones.

If it’s been longer than nine months or blurry vision affects your daily activities, visit an optometrist. You may need a new corrective lens prescription.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about blurred vision during pregnancy?

Contact your healthcare provider as soon as you notice changes in your vision. You may feel as if you can manage blurry vision on your own. But it’s essential to know whether it’s a sign of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or some other medical condition.

For more news about eye and vision health, continue reading our blogs.