How Pregnancy Can Affect Your Eyesight

Pregnancy can impact almost every part of a woman's body and health — including her eyes. In fact, an estimated 14% of pregnant women report experiencing visual changes during pregnancy that usually resolve on their own within a couple of months after giving birth.

Normal Visual Changes During Pregnancy

Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is the most common visual symptom that pregnant women may experience. Hormonal fluctuations are usually to blame for the temporary decrease in visual acuity. The influx of pregnancy hormones can cause the cornea to thicken slightly, leading to temporarily blurred vision. Less commonly, blurred vision can signal gestational diabetes.

Eye Dryness

Pregnancy hormones can cause a reduction in the amount of tears your eyes produce or affect the quality of the tears. 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.

Eye Puffiness

Pregnancy-related water retention may cause your eyelids to appear puffier than during your pre-pregnancy days. If your puffy eyes bother you, try limiting your salt and caffeine intake.

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.

Temporary vision loss

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

At Grove City Vision Center, our goal is to keep your vision and eyes healthy throughout your pregnancy and beyond. If you experience any visual symptoms, we can help by thoroughly examining your eyes to determine the underlying cause. To schedule an eye exam or learn more about our eye care services, call Grove City Vision Center in Grove City today!