Blurry Vision in Pregnancy
What causes blurry vision during pregnancy?
Although painful, blurry vision is a frequent side effect of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body produces several hormones that can lead to abnormalities in your vision. After you give birth, the blurriness should go away on its own.
Preeclampsia and hyperglycemia are two pregnancy-related conditions that can cause impaired vision in certain women. Additional eye issues may become more likely as a result of these complications.
Although these are curable disorders, your doctor will want to keep an eye on your health and begin treatment as soon as possible if necessary.
Hormones
Most of the time, hormone changes that are normal and safe for both you and your unborn child are the reason of hazy vision. After delivery, this kind of blurriness normally goes away in a few weeks.
This type of hazy vision is often first noticed by pregnant women in the first trimester. However, it can also occur later.
Your eyes retain extra water due to pregnancy hormones. The cornea, the transparent "window" in front of each eye, may momentarily shift in shape as a result.
Tiny alterations in the cornea might cause hazy vision.
Hormones can also impact tear production and result in dry eyes. About half of the pregnant women in one research experienced symptoms of dry eyes.
If your blurry vision gets better when you blink, it could be caused by dry eyes.
Dryness can also make your eyes feel like they are:
- Gritty or scratchy
- Tired or fatigued
- Sore
- Burning
- Watery
- More sensitive to light
Hormone fluctuations may also cause an increase in intraocular pressure. As your pregnancy progresses, the pressure normally decreases.
Those who have had glaucoma or high blood pressure before becoming pregnant should be concerned about certain changes in their eye pressure. Inform your physician of any treatments you receive, if any, and whether you have any of these issues.
Pregnancy hormones can cause or worsen migraines. These painful headaches can lead to:
- Throbbing pain on one side of your head
- Sensitivity to light, sound and smell
- Nausea
- Vomiting
About 1 in 3 people experience a visual aura before a migraine. The aura can cause unusual effects on your eyesight, such as:
- Flashes of light
- Zigzags or stars
- Blind spots
- Temporary vision loss
A migraine may begin hours or even days before additional symptoms, including changes in vision, are noticed by some people. They may have blurred vision, excessive yawning, or unusually high levels of fatigue.
More uncommon than auras, retinal migraines (also known as "ocular migraines") only affect one eye. They may result in an hour-long blind area, abrupt blurriness, and loss of vision. These eyesight changes may seldom be irreversible.
These symptoms can also be brought on by serious health issues and vision issues. If you notice abrupt changes in your vision, consult a physician straight immediately.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure and issues with the kidneys or liver. In 3% to 7% of pregnancies, it occurs.
Preeclampsia often develops after the 20-week mark in the second trimester. The majority of impacted women continue to give birth to healthy children, however many must do so early (before 37 weeks).
While some women will have swelling around their hands, face, or eyes, many women won't feel bad. They may gain two to five pounds in a week as a result of it.
Vision abnormalities, including blurry vision, may indicate severe preeclampsia. It is also possible to experience spots or light flashes and light sensitivity.
You might also feel:
- A bad headache that won't go away
- Breathing difficulty
- Pain below your ribs or in your right shoulder
- Lightheadedness
- Like you aren't peeing as much as usual
- Sick to your stomach, which may make you throw up
- Call your provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
Preeclampsia should always be monitored, even when it's mild. Otherwise, it can get worse and lead to serious eye or health problems for the mother and the baby.
Some of them are:
Eclampsia – Uncontrollable shaking fits (seizures) that can lead to other serious issues. Some people have blurry vision right before a seizure starts.
HELLP syndrome – A rare problem with your blood and liver that usually happens during the third trimester. Blurred vision is one possible symptom.
Stroke – A burst blood vessel in the brain that needs emergency treatment. It can cause sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes, along with other stroke warning signs.
Gestational diabetes
Diabetes is when someone has too much glucose (a type of sugar) in their blood. When it's caused by pregnancy, it's called gestational diabetes.
Blurry vision can be a warning sign of gestational diabetes. But most women won't have any symptoms.
As many as 1 in 10 pregnant women get gestational diabetes. It's treatable, but your provider needs to manage it with you. Otherwise, it can lead to other complications.
The condition can cause eye problems in some women. Talk to an eye doctor right away if you notice:
- Double vision
- Vision that looks dim or washed out
- New eye floaters or flashes of light
- Light sensitivity
- Blind spots in your eyesight
Pre-existing health conditions
If you already have a health condition that affects your vision, your symptoms may get worse while you're pregnant.
Some of these conditions are:
- Diabetes – High blood sugar levels that can damage the retina inside your eye.
- Thyroid eye disease (TED) – Eye bulging, blurry vision and other eye-related symptoms that happen because your thyroid gland isn't working correctly.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) – When your immune system attacks the outer layer of your nerve fibers. Eye problems like optic neuritis can cause blurred vision in people with MS.
- High blood pressure – When blood flow exerts too much pressure inside your arteries. Women who already have high blood pressure are at higher risk for preeclampsia and other conditions that cause vision issues.
- Uveitis – Inflammation of the uvea (a layer inside your eye) that may cause sudden blurry vision. It can threaten your vision if it isn't treated.
Postpartum preeclampsia
Preeclampsia can also happen in the days and weeks after you have your baby. This is called postpartum preeclampsia.
It can affect anyone, even if you didn't have preeclampsia during your pregnancy.
Postpartum preeclampsia needs to be treated. When it causes symptoms, they're usually the same as preeclampsia. Blurry vision is one possible sign.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
C-section
About 1 in 3 babies are delivered with a C-section procedure. While rare complications can happen, your vision shouldn't be blurry after surgery.
Any blurred vision after a C-section could be caused by a different problem. Tell your doctor if you experience this or other unexpected side effects.
Vision prescription change
It sometimes takes several months for hormone-related blurred vision to get better. If you still feel like your eyes are blurry nine months after delivery, you might need new glasses or contact lenses.
If an eye doctor thinks you need a new vision prescription, they'll give you one after a comprehensive eye exam. You can use this prescription to get new glasses or contacts anywhere that sells them.
Treatments and remedies for blurred vision in pregnancy
If a medical condition causes or worsens blurry vision, your doctor will need to treat that specific problem. Their treatment should help you see clearly again.
When hormone changes make your vision blurry, you may be able to take steps to help your eyes feel more comfortable:
Take your contacts out – Your contact lenses might not fit very well if the shape of your eyes changes while you're pregnant (which is common). Try wearing your glasses if contacts are blurring your vision.
Take more screen breaks – Too much screen time or intense focus can overwork your eyes, which could cause blurry eyesight. Help your eyes recover by taking extra breaks and naps and by using the 20-20-20 rule.
Turn an extra light on – Reading or focusing in low light can worsen eye strain. Make sure the room is well lit.
Use artificial tears – If your eyes feel dry, store-bought eye drops called artificial tears can help them feel more comfortable. But check with your doctor beforehand to make sure the eye drops (or any other new medications) are safe for you and your baby.
When to call your doctor
For many women, blurry vision is a normal part of the hormone changes that happen during pregnancy. It should go away after delivery, but it sometimes takes several months.
Common pregnancy complications can make your vision fuzzy, too. Your doctor needs to diagnose, treat and manage these problems so you and your baby can stay healthy.
Get medical help right away if you have sudden blurry vision or any of these urgent pregnancy complication warning signs. They can appear during pregnancy and for about a year after delivery.
If it's been several months since delivery and blurry vision is your only symptom, you might need a vision prescription update. Schedule an exam with an eye doctor near you to check on the health of your eyes and vision.
What causes blurry vision during pregnancy?
Although painful, blurry vision is a frequent side effect of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body produces several hormones that can lead to abnormalities in your vision. After you give birth, the blurriness should go away on its own.
Preeclampsia and hyperglycemia are two pregnancy-related conditions that can cause impaired vision in certain women. Additional eye issues may become more likely as a result of these complications.
Although these are curable disorders, your doctor will want to keep an eye on your health and begin treatment as soon as possible if necessary.
Hormones
Most of the time, hormone changes that are normal and safe for both you and your unborn child are the reason of hazy vision. After delivery, this kind of blurriness normally goes away in a few weeks.
This type of hazy vision is often first noticed by pregnant women in the first trimester. However, it can also occur later.
Your eyes retain extra water due to pregnancy hormones. The cornea, the transparent "window" in front of each eye, may momentarily shift in shape as a result.
Tiny alterations in the cornea might cause hazy vision.
Hormones can also impact tear production and result in dry eyes. About half of the pregnant women in one research experienced symptoms of dry eyes.
If your blurry vision gets better when you blink, it could be caused by dry eyes.
Dryness can also make your eyes feel like they are:
- Gritty or scratchy
- Tired or fatigued
- Sore
- Burning
- Watery
- More sensitive to light
Hormone fluctuations may also cause an increase in intraocular pressure. As your pregnancy progresses, the pressure normally decreases.
Those who have had glaucoma or high blood pressure before becoming pregnant should be concerned about certain changes in their eye pressure. Inform your physician of any treatments you receive, if any, and whether you have any of these issues.
Pregnancy hormones can cause or worsen migraines. These painful headaches can lead to:
- Throbbing pain on one side of your head
- Sensitivity to light, sound and smell
- Nausea
- Vomiting
About 1 in 3 people experience a visual aura before a migraine. The aura can cause unusual effects on your eyesight, such as:
- Flashes of light
- Zigzags or stars
- Blind spots
- Temporary vision loss
A migraine may begin hours or even days before additional symptoms, including changes in vision, are noticed by some people. They may have blurred vision, excessive yawning, or unusually high levels of fatigue.
More uncommon than auras, retinal migraines (also known as "ocular migraines") only affect one eye. They may result in an hour-long blind area, abrupt blurriness, and loss of vision. These eyesight changes may seldom be irreversible.
These symptoms can also be brought on by serious health issues and vision issues. If you notice abrupt changes in your vision, consult a physician straight immediately.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure and issues with the kidneys or liver. In 3% to 7% of pregnancies, it occurs.
Preeclampsia often develops after the 20-week mark in the second trimester. The majority of impacted women continue to give birth to healthy children, however many must do so early (before 37 weeks).
While some women will have swelling around their hands, face, or eyes, many women won't feel bad. They may gain two to five pounds in a week as a result of it.
Vision abnormalities, including blurry vision, may indicate severe preeclampsia. It is also possible to experience spots or light flashes and light sensitivity.
You might also feel:
- A bad headache that won't go away
- Breathing difficulty
- Pain below your ribs or in your right shoulder
- Lightheadedness
- Like you aren't peeing as much as usual
- Sick to your stomach, which may make you throw up
- Call your provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
Preeclampsia should always be monitored, even when it's mild. Otherwise, it can get worse and lead to serious eye or health problems for the mother and the baby.
Some of them are:
Eclampsia – Uncontrollable shaking fits (seizures) that can lead to other serious issues. Some people have blurry vision right before a seizure starts.
HELLP syndrome – A rare problem with your blood and liver that usually happens during the third trimester. Blurred vision is one possible symptom.
Stroke – A burst blood vessel in the brain that needs emergency treatment. It can cause sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes, along with other stroke warning signs.
Gestational diabetes
Diabetes is when someone has too much glucose (a type of sugar) in their blood. When it's caused by pregnancy, it's called gestational diabetes.
Blurry vision can be a warning sign of gestational diabetes. But most women won't have any symptoms.
As many as 1 in 10 pregnant women get gestational diabetes. It's treatable, but your provider needs to manage it with you. Otherwise, it can lead to other complications.
The condition can cause eye problems in some women. Talk to an eye doctor right away if you notice:
- Double vision
- Vision that looks dim or washed out
- New eye floaters or flashes of light
- Light sensitivity
- Blind spots in your eyesight
Pre-existing health conditions
If you already have a health condition that affects your vision, your symptoms may get worse while you're pregnant.
Some of these conditions are:
- Diabetes – High blood sugar levels that can damage the retina inside your eye.
- Thyroid eye disease (TED) – Eye bulging, blurry vision and other eye-related symptoms that happen because your thyroid gland isn't working correctly.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) – When your immune system attacks the outer layer of your nerve fibers. Eye problems like optic neuritis can cause blurred vision in people with MS.
- High blood pressure – When blood flow exerts too much pressure inside your arteries. Women who already have high blood pressure are at higher risk for preeclampsia and other conditions that cause vision issues.
- Uveitis – Inflammation of the uvea (a layer inside your eye) that may cause sudden blurry vision. It can threaten your vision if it isn't treated.
Postpartum preeclampsia
Preeclampsia can also happen in the days and weeks after you have your baby. This is called postpartum preeclampsia.
It can affect anyone, even if you didn't have preeclampsia during your pregnancy.
Postpartum preeclampsia needs to be treated. When it causes symptoms, they're usually the same as preeclampsia. Blurry vision is one possible sign.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
C-section
About 1 in 3 babies are delivered with a C-section procedure. While rare complications can happen, your vision shouldn't be blurry after surgery.
Any blurred vision after a C-section could be caused by a different problem. Tell your doctor if you experience this or other unexpected side effects.
Vision prescription change
It sometimes takes several months for hormone-related blurred vision to get better. If you still feel like your eyes are blurry nine months after delivery, you might need new glasses or contact lenses.
If an eye doctor thinks you need a new vision prescription, they'll give you one after a comprehensive eye exam. You can use this prescription to get new glasses or contacts anywhere that sells them.
Treatments and remedies for blurred vision in pregnancy
If a medical condition causes or worsens blurry vision, your doctor will need to treat that specific problem. Their treatment should help you see clearly again.
When hormone changes make your vision blurry, you may be able to take steps to help your eyes feel more comfortable:
Take your contacts out – Your contact lenses might not fit very well if the shape of your eyes changes while you're pregnant (which is common). Try wearing your glasses if contacts are blurring your vision.
Take more screen breaks – Too much screen time or intense focus can overwork your eyes, which could cause blurry eyesight. Help your eyes recover by taking extra breaks and naps and by using the 20-20-20 rule.
Turn an extra light on – Reading or focusing in low light can worsen eye strain. Make sure the room is well lit.
Use artificial tears – If your eyes feel dry, store-bought eye drops called artificial tears can help them feel more comfortable. But check with your doctor beforehand to make sure the eye drops (or any other new medications) are safe for you and your baby.
When to call your doctor
For many women, blurry vision is a normal part of the hormone changes that happen during pregnancy. It should go away after delivery, but it sometimes takes several months.
Common pregnancy complications can make your vision fuzzy, too. Your doctor needs to diagnose, treat and manage these problems so you and your baby can stay healthy.
Get medical help right away if you have sudden blurry vision or any of these urgent pregnancy complication warning signs. They can appear during pregnancy and for about a year after delivery.
If it's been several months since delivery and blurry vision is your only symptom, you might need a vision prescription update. Schedule an exam with an eye doctor near you to check on the health of your eyes and vision.
