How Pregnancy Affects Vision & Eye Health

Published on 07/28/2025
Pregnant woman wearing glasses: How Pregnancy Affects Vision & Eye Health

If this is your first time being pregnant, you may be surprised to learn that hormonal fluctuations and other pregnancy-related changes can affect your vision and eye health. And, if you’ve been pregnant before, you may find that while you weren’t one of the 15% of women who experienced eye or vision changes the last time around, this pregnancy may be different.

Common Eye & Vision Changes During Pregnancy

If you’ve recently found out you're pregnant, we recommend scheduling a prenatal eye exam with your optometrist to establish a baseline and discuss what you can expect during your pregnancy. 

In general, the most common ways pregnancy affects vision include:

  • Slightly blurred vision.
  • Challenges with nighttime vision.
  • Dry eyes.
  • Progression from any diabetes-related eye conditions.
  • Spots or floaters (this can be normal. However, if you’re experiencing this for the first time during pregnancy, contact your OB/GYN to ensure it’s not related to high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia).

While these pregnancy-related changes in the eyes and vision may be common or considered “normal,” an optometrist should evaluate all of them to be on the safe side. 

While hormones are related to some of them, other risk factors can also affect vision health during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or pre-eclampsia.

1. Slightly blurred vision

Blurred vision changes can occur at any point in a pregnancy. Sometimes, these changes are caused by hormonal fluctuations or a slight thickening or alteration in the shape of the cornea. Dry eyes can also contribute to blurred vision (see below). Increased pressure inside your eyes (which can be caused by fluid retention) can also alter vision. 

Some women experience blurred vision early on in the first trimester, while others may not experience it until later. The good news is that, in almost all cases, this will correct itself within four to six weeks after you have the baby, or after you’ve finished breastfeeding.

In the meantime, depending on whether the blurred vision affects close vision, distance vision, or all of the above (which can happen from corneal shape changes that cause astigmatism), a new vision prescription for eyeglasses or contacts should take care of things for you. 

2. Dry eyes

You would think that retaining water would create more - rather than less - lubrication in the eyes. However, dry eyes are not uncommon. The symptoms of dry eye include a sensation of dryness in the eyes, a scratchy or gritty feeling, red or irritated eyes, light sensitivity, and other related sensations.

Fortunately, over-the-counter lubricating eye drops are all you’ll need to keep the symptoms at bay. We recommend using preservative-free drops and keeping them readily accessible for instant relief (in your purse, desk drawer, side table, etc.). 

NOTE: If you work on a computer, use the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a break. Extended screen use can exacerbate dry eye, so taking breaks and using eye drops every 20 minutes can be a significant help.

3. Puffy eyelids

Fluid retention can also cause puffy eyelids. In most cases, this won’t affect your vision. However, excessive fluid retention can be a sign of potential pregnancy complications, so address that with your primary healthcare provider.

4. Migraines

Hormone fluctuations can also be responsible for headaches or migraines, both of which can alter your vision. High blood pressure, which can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, can also cause atypical headaches. If you’re experiencing headaches more often than usual, that hurt more than normal, or if they have escalated to the migraine level, contact your OB/GYN or a 24-hour nurse line for further instructions.

5. Heightened contact lens sensitivity

If you have dry eyes, you may find that contact lenses hurt or irritate your eyes. Many women find it easier to wear glasses again during their pregnancy to minimize eye irritation, redness, and dry eye symptoms.

Additionally, if you experience blurred vision or other changes in your vision, your current contacts may not be performing their intended function. In that case, we may want to adjust your contact lens prescription for the time being.

Health Conditions That Can Exacerbate Pregnancy Vision Changes

Diabetes

If you already have a diabetes diagnosis, your healthcare team will provide extra support to ensure you and your baby are safe. Your optometrist may want you to come in at least once, if not more, throughout your pregnancy to monitor any potential changes in your vision.

Some women develop something called gestational diabetes, which is temporary but requires special diet and lifestyle changes to keep things in a healthy balance. Even though gestational diabetes is temporary, vision changes during this time should be carefully monitored.

Glaucoma

If you have glaucoma, your optometrist and ophthalmologist need to know ASAP when you find out you are pregnant. Some of the medications used to manage glaucoma are not recommended for pregnant women, and so alternative treatments may be necessary during this time. 

Also, as we mentioned above, pregnancy-related fluid retention can increase the pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure). In women with normal eye health, this doesn’t typically cause a problem. If, however, you already have glaucoma, it can make things worse, so we’ll want to keep in close contact throughout your pregnancy.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a known factor for vision loss and other eye health issues, but that is exacerbated when you’re pregnant. And, as we’ve mentioned before, high blood pressure can contribute to - or be a symptom of- a very serious condition called pre-eclampsia. 

Always seek immediate medical attention if you are pregnant and experience:

  • Sudden blurred or dimmed vision.
  • Seeing “sparkles.”
  • The onset of spots or gaps in your field of vision.
  • Severe headaches.
  • Abnormal fluid retention.
  • Flashing lights or auras.

Your physician would much rather tell you that you have nothing to worry about than find out you were experiencing symptoms and didn’t check in with them.

Eye To Eye Family Care Loves Supporting Vision Health For Pregnancy Clients

The team at Eye to Eye Family Care is committed to delivering comprehensive prenatal vision care to our pregnant patients. We’re here to ensure you’re healthy, comfortable, and enjoying optimal eye and vision health. Contact us to schedule a pregnancy eye exam and to learn more about your eye health during this precious time.