Pregnancy complications that can affect your vision are often unexpected and easy to dismiss at first. Blurry sight flashes or sudden changes can feel harmless, especially when so many body changes are happening at once. However, vision changes can sometimes be your body asking for attention. Understanding pregnancy complications that can affect your vision helps you know when symptoms are normal and when they should never be ignored.
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Inge Loubser, a senior optometrist at Mellins i-Style, highlights vision risks and eye care during pregnancy.
Diabetes during pregnancy and your vision
High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the eye’s retina and cause them to bleed or leak fluid. The risk of this condition, called diabetic retinopathy, increases during pregnancy and is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. The body produces a lot of hormones during pregnancy, which can occasionally cause insulin resistance, where the body can’t produce enough insulin to regulate sugar.
If pregnant women experience blurred vision or excessive thirst, they should be tested for diabetes. A temporary form of diabetes (gestational diabetes) can occur during pregnancy and this may also lead to blurred vision. If you are diabetic, frequent eye check-ups during pregnancy are necessary. This will detect any changes that might occur and may be treated right away to prevent blindness.
Additional areas of the eye that could be damaged by diabetes:
- Retina – the tissue that lines the inside of the eye and converts incoming light to a visual “message” via the optic nerve to the brain.
- Lens – the lens of the eye is transparent and sits behind the iris (coloured part of the eye). It helps to focus light on the retina.
- Vitreous fluid – the transparent, colourless mass that fills the space between the lens and retina.
- Optic nerve – it connects the eye to the brain and carries visual messages from the retina to the brain and from your brain to the eye muscles.
Therefore, if you have diabetes and are planning to get pregnant, you should have a comprehensive eye examination with your optometrist during the first trimester and discuss diabetic retinal problems. If you start to develop diabetes during pregnancy, there is no increased risk of retinal problems, unless your diabetes continues after your pregnancy.
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Preeclampsia and your vision
Pregnant women with high blood pressure can be at risk of preeclampsia, a serious condition that can put both the mother and baby at risk. In addition to high blood pressure, if pregnant women experience any blurred vision, sensitivity to bright light or loss of vision, they should consult their doctor immediately.
Glaucoma during pregnancy and your vision
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve and usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. Pressure in the eye is increased by the extra fluid and consequently damages the optic nerve. In general, your eye pressure is, however, lowered during pregnancy as a result of the body’s hormonal changes. This may be beneficial for women with glaucoma.
Medication for glaucoma may affect your unborn baby, but it may be possible to lower your glaucoma medication dosage, thereby lowering your baby’s exposure to medicine – but first discuss this with your ophthalmologist. There is, however, very little information available about the use of eye drops for glaucoma during pregnancy.
The risk of most medications can’t be excluded. There is even a risk while breastfeeding, so it is important to see your ophthalmologist for a treatment plan as soon as you know that you are pregnant or if you are trying to get pregnant.
BabyYumYum FAQ’s: Pregnancy Complications That Can Affect Your Vision
Can pregnancy affect your eyesight?
Yes. Pregnancy can cause temporary vision changes due to hormonal shifts, fluid retention and changes in blood pressure. For most women, these changes are mild and resolve after birth.
What types of vision changes are common during pregnancy?
Some women experience blurry vision, dry eyes, increased light sensitivity or difficulty wearing contact lenses. These changes are often linked to fluid changes in the body and hormone fluctuations.
Can vision problems during pregnancy be a sign of something serious?
Sometimes. Sudden or severe vision changes, such as flashing lights, dark spots, loss of vision or severe blurriness, can be warning signs of pregnancy complications and should be checked urgently.
How is high blood pressure linked to vision problems in pregnancy?
Conditions such as gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia can affect blood flow to the eyes. This may cause blurred vision, light sensitivity or visual disturbances and requires medical assessment.
What is pre-eclampsia and how does it affect vision?
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure and organ stress. Vision symptoms may include flashing lights, spots, blurred vision or temporary vision loss. Check out: Pregnancy Glossary – Over 100 Essential Terms Explained
Can gestational diabetes affect eyesight?
Yes. Gestational diabetes can cause fluctuating blood sugar levels, which may temporarily affect vision. In some cases, it can also worsen existing eye conditions. Take a look at: Had Gestational Diabetes? 5 Ways to Lower Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk.
Are headaches with vision changes a concern during pregnancy?
They can be. Severe headaches combined with visual symptoms may indicate high blood pressure or other complications and should not be ignored.
Can pregnancy make existing eye conditions worse?
In some cases, yes. Conditions such as migraines with visual aura, glaucoma or diabetic eye disease may change during pregnancy and should be monitored by a healthcare professional.
Do vision changes always go away after pregnancy?
Most pregnancy-related vision changes are temporary and improve after birth as hormones and fluid levels return to normal. Persistent symptoms should be assessed by an eye care or medical professional.
Should pregnant women have eye tests during pregnancy?
Routine eye tests are generally safe during pregnancy. However, elective changes to prescriptions are often delayed unless vision changes are significant or affecting daily life.
When should a pregnant woman seek urgent medical help for vision issues?
Immediate medical attention is needed if there is sudden vision loss, flashing lights, dark spots, severe blurriness, double vision or vision changes accompanied by high blood pressure symptoms or severe headaches.
How can pregnant women protect their eye health?
Staying hydrated, managing blood pressure and blood sugar, resting eyes regularly and attending prenatal check-ups can help. Any concerning symptoms should always be reported promptly.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Pregnancy-related vision changes can sometimes indicate serious conditions. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, midwife or doctor if you experience vision changes or have concerns during pregnancy.
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