Pregnancy might invite a range of problems that you are expected to live with; that could be morning sickness, swelling in the feet, back pain or mood swings. Unexpected changes in vision may come across as a surprise to you. Although vision changes are a normal part of a healthy pregnancy, they could also signal an underlying problem. Therefore, it is important not to neglect the vision changes that you experience.
Below are some of the important points to know about pregnancy-related vision problems:
1. Blurry vision can signal gestational diabetes
If you experience blurry vision, inability to see fine details during pregnancy, you may have gestational diabetes (pregnancy-related diabetes). Gestational diabetes occurs as a result of the rise in blood sugar levels, which is typical of most pregnancies.
In most cases of pregnancy, gestational diabetes causes little to no vision-related symptoms. If you experience blurry vision or low vision during pregnancy, make sure to consult an eye doctor. Residents of West Bengal can choose to book an appointment at the nearest Disha Eye Hospital and consult one of their highly-qualified eye specialists to receive diagnosis or treatment.
2. Preeclampsia during pregnancy can cause vision problems
Preeclampsia is one of the most serious pregnancy-related problems. It causes swelling in the hands and feet and high blood pressure. Vision problems such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, and temporary vision loss are some of the common and major complications of preeclampsia.
If left untreated or poorly treated, preeclampsia can also cause other serious complications such as bleeding from the liver, heart failure, seizure, stroke, and fluid build-up in the chest.
3. Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common pregnancy-related vision problems
Dry eyes occur when there is insufficient moisture in the eyes. Hormonal changes that are associated with pregnancy cause dry eyes. Most pregnant women experience significant hormonal changes during the end of their first trimester. This means that you may experience dry eye symptoms such as eye redness and eye irritation as you approach the end of your first trimester. Other dry eyes symptoms that may appear include the sensation of something getting stuck in the eye, low night vision, and difficulty in wearing contact lenses.
4. Sensitivity to light can be linked to pregnancy-related migraine
Vision sensitivity to bright lights can occur as one of the primary symptoms of migraine associated with pregnancy. Hyperactivity of brain cells during pregnancy is linked to the onset of migraine headaches.
Some of the common pregnancy-related problems such as fatigue, stress, and mood swings can act as a trigger for migraine headaches. In some cases, migraine headaches are confused with headaches caused by preeclampsia.
5. Refractive changes can occur later in pregnancy
In many late-pregnancy cases, changes in the cornea’s curvature and thickness may occur. This could cause temporary alterations in refraction and result in a temporary refractive error. Most women who develop refractive error during pregnancy experience improvements in the condition after childbirth.
6. Hypotony can occur in some pregnancy cases
Hypotony, or low intraocular pressure (pressure in the eyes), may occur during the stages of late pregnancy. Pregnant women who have ocular hypertension may experience a significant drop in intraocular pressure. Refractive error and decreased overall vision are two of the primary symptoms of hypotony.
Get your pregnancy-related vision changes diagnosed at Disha Eye Hospitals
To ensure that you do not experience vision complications during, and after pregnancy, get your eye health thoroughly checked. With the modern diagnostic procedures that the team of doctors at Disha employs, you can get a clear assessment of your general eye health during pregnancy.