Many women report having vision changes during pregnancy, which usually begins in the second and third trimesters and goes away a few months after birth or breastfeeding. Blurry vision during pregnancy is mostly due to hormonal changes leading to water retention in the eye and dry eye. Sometimes, vision changes in pregnancy can be due to preeclampsia, eclampsia, or hyperthyroidism. Signs that warrant a call to the doctor include double vision, flashing lights, and temporary loss of vision.
Pregnancy affects your body in all sorts of ways, but did you know that you might experience changes in vision while pregnant? As your hormone levels are changing throughout your pregnancy, they are also causing your body to change in different ways. Thus, changes in vision during pregnancy are normal—and usually temporary. Continue reading to learn about 5 changes in vision during pregnancy.
1. Blurry Vision
Are you experiencing blurry vision while pregnant? During pregnancy, it’s normal for your body to swell a little. Swelling throughout your body can cause you to have mild changes in your eyesight. Luckily, for most pregnant people, this blurry vision will only be temporary, and usually will not require you to get a new prescription.
2. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are a very common symptom that many pregnant people experience due to the hormonal changes in their body. Your eyes might feel constantly dry, and your eyes might not be able to produce extra tears for lubrication. The dryness you are experiencing will most likely subside after giving birth, but it’s still an uncomfortable feeling to have while pregnant. Dry eyes are also associated with itching and redness, so if these symptoms are bothersome for you, it’s important to speak to an optometrist to help treat your dry eyes.
3. Floaters Or Spider Webs
Another vision change during pregnancy is seeing more floaters or spider webs than usual. While seeing floaters are usually a sign of a retinal issue, in pregnant women it can be more than that. Seeing floaters while pregnant might signal preeclampsia, especially if you are also suffering from high blood pressure and increased migraines. Talking to your optometrist if you see increased floaters is crucial to maintain the health of your body during pregnancy.
4. Puffy Eyelids
It’s common for your eyelids to get puffy during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes and water retention. Many pregnant people will experience mild puffiness or swelling, which can easily be reduced by putting cold compresses on the eyelids. However, if your puffy eyelids do not seem to decrease in swelling, contact your optometrist immediately, as there may be an underlying issue causing the puffiness.
5. Loss Of Vision
Although it is rare, sudden loss of vision is another change that could happen during pregnancy. Since this is rare, if you ever experience loss of vision, you should seek help immediately. Vision loss could be connected to diabetes, preeclampsia, or specific eye problems. Therefore, it’s important to get a diagnosis quickly after you have experienced this symptom.
Your Local Optometrist
Your child’s eyes constantly change through these formative years, so it’s vital to have an eye care team to help you and your child through any issues that might be discovered. Our Tonic Eye Care team is here in your Toronto community, ready to talk you through any concerns about your visual health.
