- By Prerna Targhotra
- Fri, 04 Oct 2024 05:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Blurry Vision In Pregnancy: Pregnancy is not an event but a continuous path of bodily changes occurring during 9 months. Your body goes through a lot of hormonal and physical changes. Pregnant women may experience weight gain, mood swings, morning sickness, etc. These changes can also lead to a lot of effects on eyes and eyesight. Some issues are minor, and some may require medical intervention.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO), Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist, Neytra Eye Centre, New Delhi explained what causes blurry vision during pregnancy.
Blurry Vision During Pregnancy
Dry eyes - Hormonal changes can cause ocular dryness. This is temporary and often resolves on its own after delivery and sometimes a few months after delivery. It can cause symptoms such as dryness, watering eyes, blurriness, itchiness and intolerance to contact lenses. Over-the-counter lubricant eye drops can be used to relieve the symptoms.
Diabetic retinopathy - Gestational diabetes can lead to lots of changes in eyes, including issues with the cornea, development of cataracts, retinopathy and dry eyes which may or may not be reversible. The utmost care and control of diabetes with regular eye checkups is necessary.
Preeclampsia - Sudden and elevated blood pressure during pregnancy can cause pressure changes in the eyes, compressing the optic nerve or even retinal detachment, inducing non-reversible changes in eyes which could lead to permanent damage to vision. Managing this condition requires combined efforts and regular checkups with both obstetricians and ophthalmologists to monitor the condition. It is necessary to have an eye examination in every trimester, along with plenty of bed rest and regular blood pressure management.
Blurry Vision In Pregnancy (Image Credits: Canva)
Refractive changes - Pregnancy causes fluid retention in the cornea, which can lead to shape and thickness changes in the cornea. This is a temporary effect and can be corrected with glasses.
Systemic diseases like Graves' disease and intracranial hypertension can worsen during pregnancy, which can affect the eyes and eye muscles. These conditions get exacerbated in pregnancy and can worsen the already affected eyes.
Regular eye check-ups during pregnancy can help in minimising eye disease occurrence and improve the outcome. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an eye specialist if you experience any of the stated symptoms for additional evaluation and appropriate treatment before other major concerns occur.