Vision Changes That Can Happen During Pregnancy

Your body can go through a variety of changes when you’re pregnant. While many people anticipate changes in appetite, emotional changes, and changes in energy levels, many don’t anticipate what pregnancy can do to their vision. Your eye doctor in Riverdale, NJ, can help you navigate these changes and make smart decisions to care for your eyes and body.

If you’re recently pregnant and noticing changes in how you see the world around you, here’s what you need to know.

Blurry Vision

Many people retain fluids while pregnant. This fluid retention can change the shape of the eyes, leading to blurry vision. These changes will likely go away after birth or when you finish breastfeeding. Talk to your eye doctor to ensure that your blurry vision is within the normal range. Your eye doctor can also help you troubleshoot these problems, although you will unlikely need new glasses during this time.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can happen because of hormone changes. For many patients, using artificial tears can help alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. If your eyes have been red, itchy, or even watery, these are all dry eye symptoms. Artificial tears are available over the counter in pharmacies. Talk to your eye doctor about your symptoms.

Halos, Light Sensitivity, Auras, Flashing Lights

Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition that can affect a small number of pregnant women. Preeclampsia happens when a pregnant woman experiences a sudden spike in blood pressure.

Some of the symptoms of preeclampsia are visual changes like the appearance of halos, light sensitivity, auras, blurry vision, and flashing lights. Preeclampsia is an emergency that needs immediate help. If you notice these changes, talk to your physician immediately or go to the emergency room.

Are you troubled by your blurry vision or dry eyes due to pregnancy? It may be time for an eye exam in Riverdale, NJ. Talk to your eye doctor at Riverdale Vision Care. Contact us today to make an appointment and learn more about how we can help you manage the vision changes that you might be experiencing due to your pregnancy.