Is the text on your phone looking a little fuzzy lately? Are your contact lenses suddenly uncomfortable?
Pregnancy does strange things to the body, and your eyes are not exempt. While it might feel alarming to wake up with blurry vision, it is actually a fairly common side effect of expecting a baby.
However, not all vision changes are harmless. While most are due to annoying (but benign) fluid retention, others can signal serious complications like preeclampsia.
We have broken down exactly how pregnancy affects your eyes, which symptoms are normal, and which ones require an immediate call to your doctor. Here is everything you need to know about navigating vision changes while pregnant.
Key Takeaways
- It is common: Roughly 15% of pregnant women experience vision changes, mostly due to hormones and fluid retention.
- Temporary issues: Most problems, such as dry eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity, resolve naturally after delivery or weaning.
- Warning signs: sudden blurriness, light flashes, or auras can indicate preeclampsia or gestational diabetes; seek medical help immediately.
- Eye care: You can still get eye exams, but avoid getting a new prescription or LASIK surgery until your vision stabilizes postpartum.
Is It Normal For Vision To Change During Pregnancy?
You might be surprised to learn that about 15% of pregnant women experience vision changes. While usually normal, it can definitely feel unsettling when you cannot focus on your morning paper.
When you are pregnant, your body undergoes massive physiological shifts. Surges in hormones, increased blood volume, and significant fluid retention all play a role.
Water retention, for instance, can actually increase the thickness and curvature of your cornea. This slight shape change affects how your contact lenses fit and how well your eyes focus. Fluid buildup can also increase pressure within the eyeball itself.
While many of these quirks are annoying, most are temporary. Let’s look at the specific ways your eyes might react over the next nine months.
Common Vision Changes During Pregnancy
Every pregnancy is different. Some women will have 20/20 vision the entire time, while others might feel like they need a new pair of glasses every trimester. It is vital to distinguish between standard hormonal side effects and symptoms of a larger health issue.
Here are the most common physical changes your eyes may experience:
1. Dry Eyes
Hormonal fluctuations can decrease tear production, leaving your eyes feeling gritty and dry. This is often easily managed with over-the-counter artificial tears. Just make sure to check with your pharmacist or doctor to ensure the brand is safe for pregnancy (1).
If you wear contact lenses, this dryness might make them unbearable. Switching to glasses for a few weeks often provides relief.
2. Blurred Vision
This is the most frequent complaint. As your body holds onto water, the fluid pressure in your eye changes, leading to distorted images. This typically resolves itself after you give birth or when you stop breastfeeding.
Blurred vision during pregnancy can also be a sign of something more serious, like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes (2). It’s best to call your doctor if you start experiencing blurred vision. If you experience double vision, flashes, or spots, call your doctor right away.
Editor's Note:
Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN3. Corneal Edema
Corneal edema is a fancy term for swelling of the cornea. It usually crops up in the third trimester when water retention is at its peak. This swelling creates sensitivity and is the main reason your contact lenses might suddenly feel like they do not fit right.
The best fix is usually swapping your contacts for glasses until your fluid levels normalize postpartum.
4. Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
This sounds scary, but it is a known condition where fluid leaks beneath the retina. It results in distorted vision or a blind spot. It is difficult to self-diagnose, so if you notice straight lines looking wavy or have a dark spot in your central vision, see your optometrist immediately.
5. Refractive Changes
Pregnancy hormones can alter your actual prescription. You might find you are suddenly more nearsighted or farsighted than usual. Because this is usually temporary, doctors often advise waiting until after delivery to buy expensive new glasses.
Most optometrists won’t recommend changing your prescription during pregnancy since eye changes can be temporary. Your optometrist can tell you when the optimal time is to get your eyes checked.
Editor's Note:
Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN6. Puffy Eyelids
If your ankles are swollen, your eyelids probably are too. Significant puffiness around the eyes can actually interfere with your peripheral (side) vision. Staying hydrated and watching your sodium intake can help combat this overall water retention.
7. Migraines and Light Sensitivity
Pregnancy can trigger migraines, often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia). If you are squinting in normal lighting or finding that bright lights trigger throbbing headaches, you are not alone. Discuss safe pain management options with your OB-GYN.
Should You Postpone An Eye Exam?
Because your vision is in flux, most optometrists will refuse to perform laser eye surgery (LASIK) or prescribe permanent new lenses during pregnancy. The prescription you measure for today might be completely wrong three months after the baby arrives.
However, you should not skip routine eye health exams.
You can still have your eyes checked for health and safety. Dilation is generally considered safe, but always inform the doctor you are pregnant. It is actually the perfect time to ask a professional about the symptoms you are experiencing.
Important Note
When Are Vision Changes Concerning?
While blurry vision is often normal, it can also be a massive red flag. Your eyes are often the first place serious conditions like preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure) show symptoms.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Sudden, severe blurriness.
- Double vision.
- Blind spots or “holes” in your vision.
- Flashing lights or “stars.”
- Auras or halos around lights.
- Inability to focus.
If you have swelling or puffiness around your eyes that comes on suddenly and is accompanied by the symptoms above, do not wait. These are classic signs of preeclampsia, which requires urgent medical attention to keep you and your baby safe.
Vision Changes As Health Warnings
Your eyes can act as a warning system for systemic issues in your body. Here are the three major conditions where eyesight plays a pivotal role in diagnosis.
1. Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. It can be fatal if untreated. Visual disturbances; such as flashing lights, auras, or temporary vision loss; are reported in at least 25% of severe preeclampsia cases.
If you see fireworks that aren’t there, call your doctor or go to the ER (source).
2. Gestational Diabetes
If your blood sugar levels spike due to gestational diabetes, it can damage the small blood vessels in your eyes, leading to blurred vision. This condition usually resolves after birth, but it requires strict monitoring.
Uncontrolled blood sugar puts you at risk for a large baby, a difficult delivery, and type 2 diabetes later in life.
3. Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
Even without full-blown preeclampsia, high blood pressure (hypertension) can cause hypertensive retinopathy. This is when the blood vessels in the retina are damaged. If you are seeing spots or blurriness, getting your blood pressure checked is the first step.
4. Timeline of Symptoms
The timing of your symptoms can sometimes offer a clue:
- First Trimester: Minor changes are usually hormonal as your body adjusts.
- Second Trimester: Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed after week 20. Any sudden vision changes from this point on should be reported to a doctor instantly.
- Third Trimester: Corneal edema and water retention issues are most common here as the body prepares for birth.
Soothing Pregnancy Vision Changes
You cannot stop your hormones from fluctuating, but you can make your eyes more comfortable while you wait for baby to arrive.
Here is how to manage the discomfort:
- Lubricate: Keep pregnancy-safe artificial tears in your bag. They are a lifesaver for dry, scratchy eyes.
- Rest your eyes: Digital eye strain makes everything worse. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Avoid new prescriptions: Unless your vision is so bad you cannot drive or work safely, hold off on buying new glasses. Your “real” prescription will return a few months postpartum.
- Switch to glasses: If your contacts hurt, stop wearing them. Your corneas may have changed shape, making the lenses ill-fitting and abrasive.
- Avoid surgery: Do not schedule LASIK or corrective surgery during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Your eyes are too unstable for the measurements to be accurate.
Vision Changes and Headaches
It is a vicious cycle: eye strain can cause headaches, and pregnancy headaches can make your eyes sensitive. If you are getting frequent headaches, visit your optometrist to rule out a severe prescription change.
However, never dismiss a headache during pregnancy. If you have a throbbing headache that won’t go away; especially if you also have blurry vision; it is a primary symptom of preeclampsia.
Headache Tip
FAQs
How Much Do Your Eyes Change During Pregnancy?
It varies by person. Some women experience increased dryness or a slight change in the eye’s curvature due to fluid retention. Fortunately, most of these changes revert to normal after the baby is born and hormones stabilize.
Why Am I Seeing Stars While Pregnant?
Seeing “stars,” flashes of light, or visual static can be a symptom of high blood pressure or preeclampsia. This is not a normal pregnancy symptom and requires immediate medical attention to ensure you and your baby are safe.
Is Scotoma Caused By Pregnancy?
A scotoma (a blind spot in your vision) is not directly caused by pregnancy itself, but it can be a visual disturbance associated with severe preeclampsia. If you develop a blind spot, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Will My Vision Go Back To Normal After Pregnancy?
Yes, for the vast majority of women, vision returns to pre-pregnancy levels within a few months of delivery or after weaning from breastfeeding. If your vision remains changed months later, schedule a full eye exam.
Seeing It All Clearly
Pregnancy transforms your body in ways you might never expect, and your eyesight is part of that journey. While most changes; like dryness or mild blurring; are temporary annoyances that vanish after delivery, others serve as critical health warnings.
Trust your instincts. If something looks wrong, or if you experience flashing lights and sudden changes, contact your doctor immediately. It is always better to be safe, get checked out, and ensure that both you and your little one are healthy.
