Interesting ways pregnancy can change your vision

Blindsided by vision changes during pregnancy? You’re not alone. According to a new survey by the American Optometric Association, one in six expectant moms experiences vision changes. Yet, two out of five have no idea that’s a thing.

Turns out, it is. And most of the time, it’s totally normal.

“When you’re pregnant, you have a huge influx of hormones,” says Elizabeth Walsh Czirr, OD, FAAO, optometrist with Nashville Regional Eyecare. “Hormones regulate pretty much everything, including your eyes.”

The good news: Vision changes are usually temporary and go away after birth. However, they can also signal a serious problem. So keep your ob-gyn looped in on vision changes, and don’t skip your regular eye exam, either. If you don’t feel comfortable getting dilation drops while pregnant, the eye doctor can take photos of the insides of your eyes instead, says Dr. Czirr.

Change #1: Cloudiness

Just as fluid can build up in your hands, ankles, or feet during pregnancy, it can also collect in your eyes. That can cause the normally clear outer layer (the cornea) to lose clarity, clouding your vision. “It’s like you’re looking through a hazy window,” says Dr. Czirr.

Try a cold compress to reduce swelling. Drink plenty of water and limit sodium to minimize water retention.

Change #2: Blurriness

When fluid retention causes the cornea to swell, it can alter its thickness and shape. On top of that, shifting estrogen levels can make the cornea less stiff and more elastic, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). As a result, light enters the eye differently and your prescription can change.

Research suggests some women become more myopic, or nearsighted, in the second or third trimester. In one study, women complaining of vision changes during pregnancy had experienced a myopic shift of almost 1 diopter (a unit of measurement in optometry). In all cases, vision returned to normal after birth.

If it bothers you, talk to your eye doctor. A new prescription can help, but you may be better off waiting for your vision to resolve after birth, says Dr. Czirr.

Change #3: Dry eyes

Shifting hormones can affect the eye’s oil glands, leading to dryness. Your tear production may decrease, or the chemical makeup of those tears may change, Dr. Czirr says.

Artificial tears can help and are generally safe to use during pregnancy, Dr. Czirr says. (But it’s always smart to check with your doctor first.) Consider lubricating eye drops like Systane or Refresh. Avoid anti-redness drops like Visine and Clear Eyes, cautions Dr. Czirr. “They don’t actually lubricate. They just shrink the blood vessels on the eye’s surface.”

Use artificial tears up to four times a day, says Dr. Czirr. If you want to use them more frequently, choose preservative-free brands. And here again, staying hydrated can help.

Change #4: Contact lens intolerance

Even if your vision seems fine, dry eyes and corneal changes can make contact lenses uncomfortable—or unbearable.

If the artificial tears don’t help, consider switching to glasses for a while. Your tolerance for contacts should go back to normal after birth.

Change #5: Sensitivity to light

Shifting hormones, increased blood volume, and added stress can contribute to migraines during pregnancy. One common symptom: sensitivity to light. Talk to your doctor before taking any migraine medications.

When to see your doctor about vision changes

If vision changes are accompanied by other symptoms—like severe headache, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or light sensitivity—see your doctor right away. These could be signs of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure. Left untreated, the condition can be fatal for both mother and baby.

Let your doctor know if you have preconditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or glaucoma. Some glaucoma medications may be harmful to the fetus. Plus, intraocular eye pressure may change during pregnancy, affecting the condition.  

If you have diabetes, especially diabetic retinopathy—a diabetes complication that affects the eyes and can worsen during pregnancy—additional eye exams may be warranted.  

And if something just doesn’t seem right? Talk to your doctor. Dr. Czirr recalls one pregnant patient who came in for a contact-lens replacement. What she failed to mention: She hadn’t been able to see out of her right eye for a week.  

“It was a substantial loss in vision,” Dr. Czirr says. “But she didn’t speak up and say ‘This is different.’”  

Turns out, the woman had experienced a retinal bleed due to high blood pressure, possibly related to the pregnancy. Luckily, the bleed cleared and her vision returned.

That’s a rare occurrence, Dr. Czirr assures. But your takeaway: If anything seems abnormal, speak up.