Pregnancy is associated with many symptoms, discomfort and noticeable and unnoticeable changes in the body which are typically due to the rapid hormonal changes that take place in the body of a pregnant woman. These changes are more significant during the last two months of pregnancy and affect the eyes and vision in a number of ways as outlined below;

Blurry vision – Blurry vision seems to be a common experience with most pregnant women. This is due to hormonal changes and build-up of fluid in the body and also the cornea. This slightly alters the shape and curvature of the cornea resulting in visual and refractive ( spectacle prescription ) changes and also leads to increase in cornea sensitivity. However, this condition and its associated visual changes are temporary and will reverse after baby delivery and therefore may not necessitate a change of glasses.

Dry Eyes — Pregnancy affects the composition, quality and quantity of tears which could lead to symptoms of dry eyes – itchy-burning and gritty sensation and intermittent blurry vision. For most pregnant woman, dry eye symptoms will ease-up after delivery. But for some, the condition may persist resulting to chronic dry eyes which needs to be managed with artificial tears, most of which are over-the-counter drops.

Contact Lens wear – Due to cornea edema, change in cornea curvature, Dry eyes condition and increased cornea sensitivity, the eyes become highly irritable and therefore makes wearing contact lenses very uncomfortable. Wearing contact lenses at this stage may not be very pleasant and therefore not advisable. Glasses should be worn during pregnancy instead.

Diabetes – Pregnancy could cause gestational diabetes or lead to ocular complications ( diabetic retinopathy ) in pregnant women with an existing type 2 diabetes. This condition causes blurry vision and could worsen if the blood sugar level is not brought under control.

Floaters/Scotomas – Pregnancy can result in the development of floaters or what may appear like or mistaken for floaters. This is called scotomas. Unlike floaters which moves/floats in the eyeball and within the visual field with head movements, scotomas cast a large stationary ( fixed position) shadow in a person’s field of view. Scotomas can result from pregnancy complication such as pre-eclampsia or eclampsia which often results in dangerously increase in blood pressure. The condition may go away after baby -delivery.

Migraine headache – some women may experience migraine headache for the first time during pregnancy. The headache may be preceded by an aura. With an aura she sees a flash of bright light that may appear in a zig zag pattern and last for a couple of seconds. This could cause visual disturbance and discomfort. However some migraine sufferers may get only the aura. In this case, they see a zig-zag flash of light but do not get headache.

Written By;

 Austin Madu, OD
( Doctor Of Optometry )