Expert reveals how vision changes in pregnancy and how to take care of your eyes

Morning sickness, a sudden aversion to certain foods with an increased craving for others, swollen feet, and mood swings are all well-known side effects of pregnancy. The lesser-known symptoms, however, are vision changes, even though studies have shown that they occur in 15% of pregnancies.

Nimmi Mistry, professional service optician at Vision Direct shares more on how pregnancy affects eye health and provides tips on how to take care of your vision during that turbulent period.

How does your eyesight change during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, vision changes may occur due to fluid retention changes. This change in water content can cause changes in the thickness and curvature of the outermost layer of the eye, the cornea, responsible for focusing light so that we can see.

In addition, hormonal changes reduce tear production, causing or exacerbating existing dry eye symptoms. A reduction in the intraocular pressure of the eye is commonly seen in pregnant women

It’s normal to experience visual and other ocular changes in pregnancy such as:

● Tired eyes: Whether this is due to less sleep, or other factors, it’s not uncommon for pregnant women to experience fatigued eyes.

● Dry eyes: Hormonal fluctuations can cause a reduction in tear production, leading to dry eyes. This can result in discomfort, irritation, or a gritty sensation.

● Pigmentary changes: Hormonal changes can lead to pigmentation changes on the eyelids or around the eyes.

● Refractive changes: Pregnancy can also temporarily cause an improvement or decline in refractive errors such as nearsightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism, so your existing prescription glasses may not correct your vision as previously anticipated.

● Contact lens discomfort: If you are a contact lens wearer then your contacts may become less comfortable due to the change in tear production and/or corneal curvature.

During pregnancy it is common to experience any of the above symptoms; some being more apparent than others at different stages of the pregnancy. However, these symptoms most likely resolve post-pregnancy. Additionally, tired and dry eyes can be remedied with hydrating eye drops, also known as artificial tears.

Blurry vision, is it normal in pregnancy or a sign of a complication?

Blurry vision, described as objects appearing out of focus, not as sharp as usual or hazy, is a common symptom reported by pregnant women Potential causes of this blurred vision include:

● Changes to the shape or thickness of your corneas

● Reduction in tear production. Usually self-limiting, in that the blurred vision resolves post pregnancy, this ocular side effect could also be indicative of the following:

● Gestational diabetes: Raised blood sugar levels during pregnancy in people who don’t have a history of diabetes, are common, affecting one in 20 pregnancies.

● Pre-eclampsia: High blood pressure and protein in your urine during pregnancy, it affects up to one in 25 pregnancies in the UK and usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Both conditions can put you and your baby at risk of complications if undiagnosed and left untreated. Gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia can also affect your vision and common symptoms include photopsia (visual phenomena/auras) and blind spots (scotomas). These conditions are screened for in the UK during prenatal visits, however, it is important to know the warning signs and let your midwife or GP know of any new symptoms during your pregnancy. Seeing stars, double vision or sensitive to light? Report the symptoms

Experiencing symptoms like seeing “stars”, double vision, or sensitivity to light during pregnancy requires immediate attention from a medical professional. These visual symptoms could signal pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes. If you notice any of these symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, it’s important to discuss them with your midwife or doctor promptly in order to receive the appropriate diagnosis and care.

How to protect your eyes during pregnancy?

When you’re sure your blurred vision and tired eyes are just yet another reminder of becoming a mother, there are several ways to help your vision naturally.

1. Stay hydrated

If you are pregnant, you probably noticed your body is already sending signals that it needs more water. Staying hydrated is always a priority and even a bigger one during pregnancy as it is needed to produce fluid to surround and support your baby and increase blood volume.

Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, giving rise to symptoms of irritation and discomfort, it’s recommended to avoid or reduce coffee and sugary drink intakes during pregnancy. Not only are these drinks high in caffeine and sugar, but they are diuretics meaning they remove water from the body

2. Use eye drops

If you are experiencing high levels of discomfort due to dry eyes, and an infection has been ruled out, purchasing ocular lubricants, otherwise known as artificial tears, can help alleviate symptoms of dryness. These drops can be purchased online, in supermarkets, and in high-street pharmacies, but be sure to check with your physician or pharmacist before instilling any eye drops whilst pregnant.

3. Exercise your eyes

If you feel your eyes tire during pregnancy, eye exercises may help. There are a range of eye exercises which could help manage dryness and maintain overall eye health

● Blinking consciously: This involves keeping your eyes closed for half a second before reopening. Making a conscious effort to blink helps distribute the tears across the surface of the eye, providing lubrication.

● Palming: Place the palms of your hands slightly cupped over the eyes, without applying pressure. Let your fingertips overlap, resting on the forehead and try to not let any light through and breathe deeply for a minute.

● Roll your eyes: Sit up, with your back straight and, without moving your head, look to the right. From there, move your gaze slowly toward the ceiling, then left and down. Repeat 10 sets of these eye burpees clockwise and counterclockwise.

4. Be strict with screen time

The blue light emitted by screens is short in wavelength but high in energy. When exposed to such electromagnetic waves for a prolonged period, there is the potential for damage to the structures within the eye. In addition, we blink less when concentrating, leading to discomfort and dryness of the eyes.

Research does suggest more evidence is needed on this topic, however, it's important to take frequent breaks and adopt changes for our eye health. These changes include adjusting screen brightness/contrast or making sure the screen is at an appropriate distance. Using a screen filter can also be beneficial.

You can also incorporate the 20-20-20 rule into your daily routine, this requires taking screen breaks every 20 mins and gazing at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.