How Pregnancy Can Affect Your Vision
Did you know that pregnancy can cause changes to your vision? While some of these changes are temporary and harmless, others can be signs of more serious health conditions. Understanding what to watch for can help you protect both your eye health and overall well-being.
Common Vision Changes During Pregnancy
1. Dry Eyes
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can reduce tear production, leading to dry, itchy, and irritated eyes. This can be especially uncomfortable for contact lens wearers.
Solution: Your optometrist can recommend preservative-free artificial tears or gels that are safe for pregnancy. The good news is that these symptoms usually go away after delivery.
2. Blurred Vision
Many women experience slightly blurred vision during pregnancy due to fluid retention, changes in corneal thickness, or shifts in blood circulation.
Solution: In most cases, vision returns to normal after childbirth. If blurriness becomes persistent or worsens, consult your optometrist to rule out other causes.
3. Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you are already at a higher risk for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can damage the retina. Pregnancy can increase this risk, making regular eye exams even more important.
Gestational diabetes—a temporary form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy—can also affect your ocular health. It can cause temporary vision changes and, in severe cases, may lead to diabetic eye disease.
Solution: If you have gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes, schedule an eye exam during pregnancy to monitor any potential changes.
4. Preeclampsia and Serious Vision Problems
One of the most serious pregnancy-related conditions that can affect vision is preeclampsia, which is caused by high blood pressure during pregnancy. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
Warning Signs of Preeclampsia:
- Blurred vision
- Seeing spots, auras, or flashes of light
- Increased light sensitivity
- Sudden loss of vision
- Severe headaches
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or face
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away, as preeclampsia can be life-threatening for both mother and baby.
Take Care of Your Eyes During Pregnancy
- Keep up with regular eye exams, especially if you have diabetes or experience vision changes.
- Use artificial tears if you suffer from dryness.
- Monitor symptoms closely and seek medical attention for sudden vision changes.
- Wear glasses instead of contact lenses if your eyes feel irritated.
Visit an Optometrist in Edmonton for a Pregnancy-Related Eye Exam
If you’re experiencing vision problems during pregnancy, or simply want peace of mind, visit Optometrists’ Clinic Inc. in Edmonton. We have served the community since 1948 and are experienced in identifying and managing pregnancy-related vision changes.
Schedule an eye exam today to ensure your vision stays healthy throughout pregnancy!
