From a fluctuating appetite to a shift in fluid retention, pregnancy comes with a host of bodily changes. As it turns out, these hormonal and metabolic adjustments can also affect your eyesight. The expert optometrist and the rest of the friendly team from Dr. Edwin Y. Endo, O.D. & Associates in Aiea, HI, will explain how and why.

During pregnancy, you retain extra water to help your body expand and make way for your baby. This retention may cause your cornea to become slightly thicker or to curve slightly differently. Typically, this change is minor, but it still might change the way your contact lenses or eyeglasses correct your vision.

For this reason, optometrists recommend for you to wait until a few months after your baby is born to see your eye doctor about a new prescription. Sometimes, these changes are permanent; other times, they might dissipate within a few months. Since even slight variations may impact your exam results, it’s best to wait and see.

During pregnancy, you also may find that your eyes are drier and slightly irritated. If you’re experiencing problems, ask your optometrist about eye drops or special contact lens solutions to reduce inflammation. If you have diabetes, pregnancy may make your blood vessels more susceptible to damage. To protect your eye health, visit your optometrist for a screening both before and after your pregnancy.

Small vision changes, such as feeling slightly more nearsighted, are normal during pregnancy. If you experience more severe issues like double or blurry vision, light sensitivity, or temporary vision loss, speak with your optometrist and your obstetrician right away. These changes may signal a more severe problem. 

To keep your eyes and vision healthy during pregnancy and beyond, contact the caring team from Dr. Edwin Y. Endo, O.D. & Associates. Learn more about how Aiea’s best eye doctor can help you by calling today at (808) 487-5500 or by visiting the website.