Blurry Vision during Pregnancy: Causes & Treatments

Pregnant women often experience pregnancy symptoms from erratic food cravings to mood changes. The pregnancy signs can overwhelm, excite, and bother pregnant mothers due to the hormonal changes in pregnancy. 

Blurry vision in pregnancy is a consequence of continuous hormone changes occurring in the pregnancy term. However, not a sign of worry, miscarriage, or any pregnancy complication, blurred vision in pregnancy usually goes off within a few weeks of delivery. 

Among the many signs of pregnancy triggered immediately by hormonal changes and seen early, blurry vision can also start at any point during the pregnancy. Sometimes, vision changes can be due to gestational diabetes or even preeclampsia. 

Hence, getting checked with the doctor is always advised. This article explores the causes and ways to resolve blurry vision in pregnancy.  

What does blurry vision in pregnancy mean?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Blurry vision in pregnancy is a temporary change in the quality of your eyesight.” It majorly occurs due to hormonal changes in the eye. However, these sudden, unexpected eye changes in pregnancy though bothering, do not cause permanent eye problems.

Pregnant women with blurry vision may have less sharp focussing issues with things or objects, appearing hazy or foggy. Some women also experience redness and irritated eyes. Some believe that women having eye correction only get vision issues during pregnancy. However, let’s debunk this myth- as blurry vision can be experienced by pregnant women having, 

• With or without corrective lenses,
• Impacting either one or both the eyes,
• Affecting only a part of the field of vision,
• In the early pregnancy weeks or any time during the pregnancy term.

 Blurred vision can interfere with daily activities like reading, driving, knitting, stitching, or cooking. However, for most, the blurry vision started during pregnancy gets back to normalcy within weeks after childbirth or delivery. 

What are the possible causes of blurry vision during pregnancy?

The changing hormones are the culprit for vision changes. Pregnancy hormones essentially support the growing foetus. These hormones allow fluid retention in the body areas, especially the legs and feet. Fluid changes or retention in the eyes may lead to blurry vision, causing,

• Changes in the shape or thickness of the cornea,
• Reduced tear production and vision quality,
• Intraocular pressure- increased internal eye pressure.

Blurry vision during pregnancy can be a sign of certain conditions, such as

• Gestational diabetes: Blurry vision can be a symptom of elevated blood sugar during pregnancy, even in non-diabetic women. Women with diabetes are generally advised for an eye check-up before and during pregnancy while monitoring the diabetic condition.  
• Preeclampsia: Blurry vision can also be a sign of preeclampsia– a condition causing high blood pressure and protein in urine during pregnancy. 

 It is also essential to note that both conditions can put the mother and the unborn at risk of possible pregnancy complications. Severe cases of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia can also lead to vision problems. 

If you have developed gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, contact the eye specialist on ways to monitor and treat vision changes. 

However, it is also essential to monitor blood pressure and diabetes and keep them under control with lifestyle modifications, diet, and exercise during pregnancy. 

When to see a doctor for blurry vision in pregnancy?

Vision changes can be an early sign of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. Inform your doctor when you notice any change in vision like:

• Vision dimness,
• Persistent eye strain or eye pain,
• Double vision (diplopia),
• Flashing lights,
• Blind spots,
• Partial vision loss,
• Sensitivity to light. 

Get a regular blood sugar and blood pressure check-ups to sail through a healthy pregnancy.  

What are the treatment options for blurry vision during pregnancy?

Blurry vision during pregnancy is a temporary effect, and vision can return to normal after delivery. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, women should wait for at least 6 to 9 months after delivery for vision stabilisation before getting a change of prescription. 

Meanwhile, you can rectify your vision changes by trying the following treatment options. 

Switch to eyeglasses instead of contact lenses

Hormonal changes can change the shape of the cornea. And contact lenses, under such circumstances, can increase blurriness or might not help with vision correction. You might notice blurriness more when wearing your contact lenses. Instead, eyeglasses can help improve vision during pregnancy. 

Avoid too much screen time.

Limit your screen time, including laptops, phones, and other mobile devices. These devices emit blue light that can dry the eyes and increase vision impairment during pregnancy. 

Also, have enough lighting while reading, knitting, stitching, or performing tasks requiring focusing.  

Follow eye exercises and wear sun protection.

Eye exercises can help strengthen the eye muscles, relax them, and improve vision and focus while reducing blurriness. 

If your eyes are light-sensitive, sunglasses or eye protectors can help with better vision and protect the eye from UV radiation.  

Rest your eyes as much as possible

When eyes get tired or stained, it can worsen blurriness. If you are more exposed to digital screens, 

• Take frequent breaks and rest your eyes. 
• Relax your eyes for at least two minutes every two hours. 
• Blink your eyes more often and decrease the monitor brightness. 
• Also, having good sleep hygiene can reduce eye strain. Adequate rest helps keep eyes healthy and improves vision. 

Apply eye drops

The use of eye drops can help lubricate the eyes or increase moisture in the eyes, which can reduce blurriness. Hormonal changes in pregnancy reduce tear production. Speak with your doctor about eye dryness. Use prescribed eye lubricant as directed by the doctor. 

Avoid getting a new eyewear prescription.

Blurry vision issues are usually temporary, limited to the pregnancy period. Do not go for a new prescription for contact lenses or eyeglasses. Normally, vision changes do not last long during pregnancy and can return post-pregnancy. The new eye prescription taken during pregnancy may not be the same post-pregnancy or after delivery. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What treatments are necessary for blurred vision due to gestational diabetes?

Blurry vision due to gestational diabetes needs to be treated or managed by checking blood sugar regularly, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet while avoiding processed, high-sugar, carbohydrate, and fat foods.

You may need to take additional insulin medications for optimal blood sugar maintenance. 

Is blurred vision a complication of pregnancy?

Pregnant women commonly experience vision changes, including blurred vision. These changes in pregnancy usually do not indicate complicated conditions. However, sudden vision changes can indicate preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, increasing the risk of associated pregnancy complications. 

What does preeclampsia’s blurred vision look like?

Blurry vision during pregnancy can be due to a complex condition or preeclampsia. Other vision changes seen in women with preeclampsia are:

• Visual blind spots,
• Light flashes,
• Light sensitivity,
• Partial loss of vision.

Conclusion

Blurry vision during pregnancy is common and usually caused by hormone changes. Though most women can expect normal vision after pregnancy, one can always take care of vision changes during pregnancy by avoiding excess sun exposure, reducing screen time, and following a healthy routine and eye exercise module. 

It is also important to note that blurry vision can manifest gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which require adequate blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring. Ensuring the mother and the unborn are healthy while avoiding unnecessary pregnancy complications is paramount. 

Connect with your obstetrician or eye specialist for vision impairment problems that can affect a healthy pregnancy.