Based on what customers have told me, and also my own experience, even though pregnancy affects eyes and vision a lot, these effects are rarely discussed in maternity clinics .
Changes on vision caused by pregnancy are usually only temporary. In rare cases, the changes can, however, be permanent. It depends on the individual how pregnancy affects eyes and vision. The effects can change even between different pregnancies on the same person. Pregnancy has the biggest effects on the cornea and metabolism of the eye.
In general, during pregnancy, the cornea of the eye becomes thicker. Also the curvature of the cornea can change and sensibility can lower. There are changes in the lacrimal fluid as well. Usually, less lacrimal fluid is secreted and its composition changes. Thus wearing contact lenses may not be possible during pregnancy.
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Changes in vision
It depends on the individual how pregnancy affects vision. Others may not notice the changes at all, while to others they may feel significant. Usually pregnancy causes nearsightedness. It means that those who use minus lenses need stronger glasses and those who use plus lenses need less power in glasses. These changes are caused by greater curvature of the cornea.
Some women may find it difficult to adjust the vision to different distances. This is caused by fluid accumulating to the inner lens of the eye.
Contact lenses and pregnancy
According to web pages of Metropolia Polytechnic, even 25-30% of contact lens users find it difficult to wear contact lenses during pregnancy. The fact that the cornea gets thicker and the curvature changes can cause problems on how the contact lenses fit. Also, the lenses may dry as the secretion of lacrimal fluid is lowered. The altered composition of the lacrimal fluid can cause contact lenses to get dirty quicker than usually and this may irritate the eye.
It might be difficult to describe accurately why the lenses feel uncomfortable. They just irritate the eye more than before and do not feel as comfortable.
If you have problems with contact lenses, it can help if you change the way you use them: from example, the answer may be changing the lens to disposable lens, or not wearing them as long periods of time as before.
The control visits to optician are very important during pregnancy. As the pregnancy may lower the sensibility of the cornea, the contact lens can damage the surface of the eye so that you may even not notice it.
Buying or renewing glasses or contact lenses during pregnancy
Some customers wonder if it’s wise to get new glasses or contact lenses during pregnancy. It’s really difficult to give one good answer to this question, so you should always go and discuss this issue with your optician.
If your vision has lowered dramatically, and it’s not safe to drive a car anymore, for instance, of course some actions need to be done.
Personally, I don’t prefer fitting the first pair of contact lenses to a pregnant person, because it is likely that the lenses do not fit in the best possible way. Therefore, it is important that the customer tells the optician about pregnancy. It is not polite to ask this question if the pregnancy is not very obvious.
How does the vision revert from pregnancy?
The most of the changes that take place in vision during pregnancy go back to normal in a few months time from giving birth. Some changes may stay until you stop breast feeding. If you got nearsighted during pregnancy, this change can be permanent.
Optician to visit prenatal classes?
Sometimes I wonder if it would be wise to invite an optician to visit prenatal classes as the changes in vision come as a surprise for many moms to be..
I think that an optician could come and tell about the changes in vision in the same manner as a physical therapist and dental hygienist inform about their issues of expertise.
Please note that the advice and tips given in this blog are based on Finnish regulations and laws. Therefore, you need to verify the regulations and laws in your country from your own optician, optometrist or eye specialist.
