Are There Vision Changes in Pregnancy?

Are Vision Changes Normal in Pregnancy?

Blurry vision during pregnancy is a common complaint among women. You probably expected to endure many physical changes at this time, but perhaps you didn't realize having blurred vision during pregnancy is one of them.

How can pregnancy affect vision? Like so much else, it comes down to hormones. A deluge of hormones during pregnancy flood a woman's organs and tissues, including the eyes and tissues surrounding them.

There are a few other reasons for vision changes before and after pregnancy:

• Water retention that causes corneal changes in sensitivity, thickness and curvature. This usually occurs later in pregnancy and results in temporary vision refraction (i.e., a prescription change).
• Decrease in intraocular pressure that changes the shape and sensitivity of your eyes.
• Puffy or droopy eyelids (from fluid retention). This can mildly affect your field of vision.

These reasons for vision changes usually disappear once the pregnancy is over and your body has recovered, but it may take up to six months or until after the baby has been weaned from breastfeeding.

Vision Changes to Expect During Pregnancy

Now that you know most vision changes in pregnancy are normal, let's take a look at what you can expect to see during this time. Please note, these changes are typically mild and temporary and correct themselves within a couple of months after the baby's birth.

• Blurred or distorted vision: Changes in the shape and structure of the eye caused by fluid retention can result in blurred vision.
• Contact lens intolerance: Dryness and corneal changes can make it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses either occasionally or throughout the entire pregnancy and recovery period.
• Dry eyes: Even though you may be retaining fluid elsewhere in your body, you might still experience a decrease in tear production. This makes eyes dry, itchy, irritated and uncomfortable for contact wearers.
• Puffy or droopy eyelids: Eyelids may swell, often only one at a time.

For some women, these vision changes last long after pregnancy. If this is the case for you, you should see an eye doctor for treatment or management options.

Another change you may see is an increase in skin pigmentation around the eyes and cheeks. Benign "spidery" spots may also appear on the face. These two things don't affect your eyes or vision, but since they're pretty common, it's good to know about them in advance.

Finally, pregnancy can affect some pre-existing eye diseases. Pregnancy may worsen diabetic retinopathy, macular edema and toxoplasmosis. In the case of uveitis, pregnancy may actually reduce the frequency or ease the severity of flareups.

When Vision Changes in Pregnancy Are Symptoms of Something More

Most of the time, there is no need to worry about vision changes during pregnancy. However, it is possible for vision to change due to certain underlying conditions, some of which require immediate diagnosis and treatment.

Here's a rundown of conditions that can cause severe vision changes during pregnancy.

Treatment and Finding Relief from Vision Changes in Pregnancy

While uncomfortable and annoying, the temporary vision changes in pregnancy are typically just that—temporary. You can find relief knowing that in most cases, there are no long-term or serious vision changes during or after pregnancy. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the discomfort and annoyance of normal vision changes.

Here are a few ways to alleviate the effects of vision changes during pregnancy and after:

• Use artificial tear or lubricating eye drops to ease dryness (check the label first to see if they can be used while wearing contact lenses).
• To ease discomfort, try switching from contacts to glasses, or at least take regular breaks from contact lenses.
• If vision changes are very noticeable and bothersome, consider getting a new, temporary prescription. This is especially important if you can't see clearly for driving and other detailed tasks.
• Struggling to see well can trigger migraines and an increased sensitivity to light. This also justifies getting relief with a new prescription.
• Talk to a trusted eye care professional for personalized advice.

Important: Don't consider vision correction surgery (such as LASIK) if you have blurred vision during pregnancy. Wait until well after pregnancy is over.

When It's Time to Visit an Eye Doctor

To keep your eyes at their best, it's advisable to make regular visits to your eye doctor before, during, and after pregnancy. Being able to see clearly is a gift that you don't want to lose.

Most often, you can feel confident simply in knowing all your vision changes during pregnancy are completely normal and to be expected. However, if you're still wondering, the following are indications that it's time to visit an eye doctor:

• Dry eye symptoms are not relieved by over-the-counter lubricating drops
• Vision has changed enough to be unsafe when driving or performing other tasks
• Vision changes trigger migraines or sensitivity to light
• You experience vision symptoms related to gestational diabetes, as mentioned above (impaired color vision, fluctuating vision, etc.)
• You experience vision symptoms related to preeclampsia, as mentioned above (flashing lights, trouble focusing, double vision, dark spots in the field of vision, etc.)

Find an Eye Doctor Near You

When you are pregnant and already dealing with so many physical and emotional changes, it can feel overwhelming to also experience vision changes. Fortunately, speaking with a trusted eye doctor can ease your discomfort and stress over normal changes like dry eyes and blurry vision.

At Visionworks, you can count on having a professional on your side to guide you through this time of adjustment. Find an eye doctor near you and schedule an eye exam to get treatment and relief!