A Surprising Side of Pregnancy: Your Eyes

Pregnancy brings countless changes. From cravings, low energy, to that oh so familiar glow pregnant mothers are sure to have had, nine months can be life changing. But one change that is rarely brought into the limelight? Your vision. Yes, pregnancy will reshape your vision—and your comfort level with your contact lenses.

This is your guide to the unexpected. Providing answers to everything you didn’t know in regard to pregnancy and eye health. At the end, you’ll see why the vision gets blurry faster than you ever imagined, why your favorite contact lenses suddenly don’t fit as they used to, and how to navigate any vision hiccups along the way.

What’s Going on With Your Eyes?

First things first: How does pregnancy affect your vision? Hormones, fluid retention and circulation changes are all the suspects here — the same ones responsible for almost every other pregnancy symptom. But in the context concerning your eyes, these factors conspire to form a distinct cluster of symptoms that surprise you.

During pregnancy, your body produces more progesterone and estrogen. These hormones can affect everything from corneal thickness to tear production, which is why your eyes might feel drier, more sensitive, or even blurry at times. It’s fascinating, but it can also be a real nuisance.

Top Reasons Your Vision Changes

1. Hormonal Shifts: Estrogen and progesterone modify your eye’s natural moisture profile, which will alter how light enters the eye.
2. Fluid Retention: Much like your feet swelling, your cornea retains fluid and develops a slightly different form that impacts your eyesight.
3. Increased Blood Flow: With more blood flow, eye pressure can change, making things appear blurry or sharp.

Each factor could cause symptoms but combined, they give pregnant women the "eye fog" effect.

Dry Eyes and Contact Lens Discomfort: Why Your Eyes Feel Scratchy

If you’ve been wearing contacts for years, the onset of discomfort can be a cause for alarm. Because during pregnancy, your eyes might begin to release less tears, which can lead to dry, itchy, or irritated eyes. When your eyes are drier, contacts just don’t fit as well as they used to. Here’s what’s happening:

• Reduced Tear Production: Hormones influence tear ducts, making them dry.
• Increased Corneal Thickness: Some women experience slight corneal swelling, which makes contacts uncomfortable or mildly irritating.

And if this sounds familiar, fret not. Through these adjustments might feel uncomfortable, but they’re generally only for a while. Let’s figure out how to cope with these symptoms and feel better.

Can You Wear Contact Lenses During Pregnancy?

Yes, you can absolutely keep wearing contacts, but it might be worth making a few changes. Here are some helpful strategies:

• Switch to Daily Contacts: Dailies are gentler on dry eyes and less likely to lead to irritation.
• Lubricating Eye Drops: Take prescription lubricating drops to keep eyes hydrated. Be careful of any preservatives that may lead to more dryness.
• Consider Reducing Contact Lens Wear Time: And if you can, wear glasses for a chunk of the day to relieve the discomfort.

Blurry Vision: The Unexpected (and Sometimes Frustrating) Symptom

Vision changes during pregnancy tend to be temporary and minimal, but they can feel unsettling. Blurry vision, one of the basics of eyesight, can also be a result of fluid retention that may slightly alter the shape of your cornea and lens in your eye. This is not a permanent condition, but it might mean that you have to depend more on your glasses for the time being..

If you’re experiencing blurriness, here are some things to try:

• Keep an Updated Prescription: Even for the time being, your eyes may require a change in your prescription.
• Monitor Symptoms: You can experience blurry vision as an expected symptom, but if it’s severe, call your doctor. This may be a symptom of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

Sensitivity to Light: Why Your Eyes Feel Like They’re in Overdrive

Even when you are indoors, if you’re now squinting more or reaching for your sunglasses, you’re not alone. Another pregnancy symptom is increased light sensitivity, typically due to hormonal fluctuations that affect the sensitivity of your pupils.

How to Cope

• Sunglasses with UV Protection: These types of sunglasses are your best buddies. Polarized lenses are also helpful in minimizing glare.
• Dim Indoor Lighting: Turning down indoor lights can ease eye strain and avert headaches.

Floaters and Spots: When Should You Worry?

Spots or floaters (also known as eye webs) aren’t a bad thing, but you need to know when it’s not. These symptoms can be triggered by hormonal changes, but can also indicate more serious conditions such as preeclampsia.

When to Seek Help

• If you begin to notice floaters or flashing lights happening suddenly, talk to your doctor.
• Extreme signs, such as tunnel vision or constant vision blurring, need medical treatment.

Eye Health Tips for Pregnant Moms

Keeping your eyes comfortable throughout pregnancy needn’t be a headache. Here’s a quick guide to keeping your eyes as merry as you can:

1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water will alleviate eye dryness and fluid retention that impact the thickness of the cornea.
2. Eat Eye-Friendly Foods: Nutrients such as omega-3, Vitamin A, and lutein can support eye health. Fish, carrots, and leafy greens are all good sources.
3. Avoid Eye Strain: Reduce screen time as much as possible. If not, stop often to take eye breaks.
4. Practice Gentle Eye Care: Soothe the eyes with warm compress and avoid rubbing them.

Common Myths About Pregnancy and Vision Changes

Now let’s dispel some of these myths once and for all:

Myth #1: Pregnancy changes your vision forever.

Reality: For most women, any changes are temporary and disappear after giving birth or lactating.

Myth #2:It’s unsafe to wear contacts when you’re pregnant.

Reality: Contact lenses can be safely worn while pregnant. Simply be aware of the discomfort and opt for glasses if needed.

Myth #3: Pregnancy will make your eyesight worse if you already wear glasses or contacts.

Reality: While pregnancy temporarily alters your vision because of hormonal fluctuations, it doesn’t completely change your prescription. Women’s eyes are almost entirely restored to their usual prescription levels following pregnancy.

Myth #4: Vision changes during pregnancy indicate complications.

Reality: While some vision changes are a symptom of conditions such as preeclampsia, they are usually minimal and aren’t necessarily associated with problems. Always check with your doctor if you are worried, but don’t be afraid of slight changes.

Myth #5: You can’t have any eye exams during pregnancy.

Reality: Eye exams are generally safe during pregnancy. There are procedures and medications that can be skipped, but a periodic exam is OK if you’re having pain or vision problems.

Post-Pregnancy: What to Expect for Your Eyes

These symptoms, especially after giving birth, will often dissipate. But if you’re breastfeeding, the ups and downs in hormones will still affect your eyes until your body is back to normal.

Tips for Post-Pregnancy Eye Care

• Take your eyes for a test when you’re finished breastfeeding to see if you need to update your prescription.
• Continue with healthy habits—hydration, proper nutrition, and adequate and regular eye rest.

The Final Blink: Embrace the Change

Your eyes may feel like they're on a bit of a roller coaster ride during pregnancy, and that’s fine. The vision changes are  one way your body is adjusting to support a new life. Stay vigilant, do not be afraid to ask for assistance for unusual symptoms, and don’t forget: it’s all part of the experience.

Eye care is one of the most overlooked areas of pregnancy health. If you enjoyed this article, share it with another expecting mama out there who needs a dose of affirmation (or some dry eye advice). And remember to visit here when new symptoms start to pop up, you're not alone in this wild ride.