Pregnant women experience vision changes due to hormonal changes. One of the major vision changes that women undergo during pregnancy is blurry vision. Blurry vision starts in the second or third trimesters and resolves to normal eyesight after delivery or breastfeeding.

Although many women expect to experience certain changes during pregnancy, like morning sickness in the first trimester, they should not be alarmed by changes to their vision. By talking to a specialized pharmacist, pregnant women can now access compound medications and supplements for their eye health during pregnancy.

Causes of Blurred Vision During Pregnancy

Several factors cause blurred vision in pregnancy. The major one is pregnancy hormones which lead to fluid retention and more noticeable symptoms.

Dry Eyes

Since pregnancy hormones lead to water retention, the expectant woman will experience dry eyes. The fluid retention leads to irritated eyes and discomfort in one’s eyesight. The result is reduced tear production.

Refractive Changes

Fluid retention in the eyes causes pressure on the cornea, making the eyes feel irritated and inflamed. The pressure might lead to intolerance of wearing contact lenses.

Is it Possible to Prevent Blurry Vision During Pregnancy?

To prevent blurry vision, it is important to use the prescription that the doctor recommends.

Blurry vision during pregnancy is frustrating to many women. However, the causative factor dictates how to deal with blurry vision. If a dry eye is the cause of blurry vision, the following actions can successfully minimize it.

• Use eye drops that are safe during pregnancy. With the help of an eye doctor, a pregnant woman who experiences a dry eye will require a prescription that will reduce discomfort. Lubricating eye drops are very helpful when dealing with dry eyes.
• Ensure to invest in a good pair of contact lenses. Women that wear contact lenses might want to wear glasses if their contact lenses are uncomfortable. Furthermore, it is a good idea to wear them at a minimum.
• Avoid straining the eyes. Don’t stress your eyes too much. Good lighting is key when reading. When using a screen, ensure to keep it at eye level. Getting a lot of rest and sleep is paramount to waking up with refreshed eyes.
• Don’t ask for a new prescription. Due to the changes during pregnancy, a pregnant woman might consider buying a new pair of glasses. Although the action points toward taking care of the eyes, it is always important to talk to an ophthalmologist first.

While following the above guidelines, it is important to increase water intake to counteract the effects of water retention. By doing so, you will not only take care of your eyes but your overall health as well.

Other ways in which women can take care of their overall health include:

• Eating a balanced diet
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining or lowering stress levels

When Vision Changes During Pregnancy Indicate a More Serious Condition

Sometimes the ocular changes that a pregnant woman experiences might go beyond typical eye problems. It is vital to visit an ophthalmologist to rule out any serious conditions. If your sight becomes worse, the situation might indicate a critical condition.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that expectant mothers can develop with high blood pressure. It includes symptoms such as temporary loss of vision, blurry vision, and double vision. Women can use high blood pressure medications to get the condition under control.

If left untreated, the woman might develop eclampsia, which is severe preeclampsia. Eclampsia exhibits symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, severe swelling due to water retention, and headaches or migraines. In such a situation, the woman should head straight to the hospital for immediate treatment.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a diabetic condition that affects women who are expecting. Usually, it occurs in late pregnancy, but in some rare cases, it can occur in early pregnancy. This form of diabetes occurs when placental hormones block the effect of insulin to turn sugar into energy. Women with this condition can experience swelling, sudden weight gain, and blurry vision.

The limited blood supply to the retina will induce certain ocular changes during pregnancy. High blood sugar levels will damage internal organs, blood vessels, and nerves if left unchecked. Bearing in mind that high blood sugar damages blood levels, expecting women will experience blurry vision because the retina will not receive enough blood.

Medications and Supplements that Can Promote Eye Health During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, an expecting mother can use more than one supplement to promote her eye health.

Medications

Blurred vision in pregnant women can be treated through different medications depending on the woman’s symptoms. The medicines usually come in the form of eye drops which are effective for treating different eye conditions.

It is always important to get your prescription from an ophthalmologist certified by the American Optometric Association. Remember to ask questions.

The following list includes the most common drugs used to treat eye conditions:

• Fusidic acid eye drops
• Chloramphenicol eye drops
• Hypromellose eye drops
• Miotic eye drops

Vitamins and Supplements

The dosage of vitamins and supplements prescribed to women and men are different. Moreover, expectant women and breastfeeding mothers also receive different dosages. Breastfeeding mothers get a higher dosage than their expecting counterparts.

The most useful and helpful vitamins for eye health include:

• Vitamins A, C, and E
• Folic acid
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Calcium

Can Eye Prescriptions Change During Pregnancy?

Due to the visual disturbances, expectant women might seek to change their prescriptions. However, an eye doctor will advise whether to change or maintain the current prescription. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a 6-month or 9-month wait after delivery before changing an eye prescription.

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor?

To ensure that nutrients reach your developing baby, you must take care of any existing conditions.

Pregnant women should be aware of vision changes and the symptoms to look out for. Although some of these symptoms are normal during pregnancy, some may point toward a more serious problem that requires immediate attention. Schedule a visit to your doctor and get to the root of the problem.

These symptoms include:

• Temporary loss of vision
• Flashing lights
• Double vision
• Dry eyes
• Eyes feel irritated
• Swollen eyelids

When blurry vision starts to interfere with your everyday life, it might be the time to talk to your doctor to assess the situation. For a dry eye, the most common vision change a pregnant woman undergoes, there is available treatment to help with your eyesight.

At Fort Worth Pharmacy, Texas, pregnant women can access compound medications and supplements that will help restore eye health. Although most eye medications can remain similar before and after pregnancy, some can change if a common side effect is sighted.

If you are pregnant and experiencing blurry vision, you can connect and consult with certified pharmacists at Fort Worth Pharmacy for a more personalized prescription. The medications and supplements listed above can be compounded to meet your individual eye health needs.