I’ve been thinking about pregnancy for a while now, actually about seven and a half months, to be exact. I thought it would be informative to those who are expecting to recognize the effects that pregnancy can have on their eyes and vision.
Eyes may change somewhat during pregnancy due to fluid retention, increased blood volume, hormonal fluctuations and other physical shifts that are part of pregnancy. Usually these changes are temporary and resolve after the baby is born, or after weaning a breast-fed child. Vision changes tend to be minor and don’t require a new eyeglass prescription. LASIK surgery should not be done when a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding.
A condition known as dry eye may result from hormonal fluctuations. Talk to your ophthalmologist about lubricating drops and other treatments that are safe during pregnancy. Wearing contact lenses may be less comfortable when dry eye is present. Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EFA), such as salmon, flax seeds and walnuts, may help resolve dry eye and also supports general good health. Many prenatal vitamins now contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids as well.
If vision becomes very blurry, it may signal high blood pressure or pregnancy-related diabetes. Contact your doctor right away.
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