Eye Health During Pregnancy: 11 Vital Warning Signs

Eye health during pregnancy can change because hormones, fluid balance, blood pressure, blood sugar, and the tear film all change during pregnancy. Some people notice dry eyes, mild blur, or that contact lenses feel less comfortable.

Many of these changes are temporary. However, not every vision change is a normal part of pregnancy.

Sudden blur, flashing lights, blind spots, double vision, a curtain over vision, or vision changes with a persistent headache may be warning signs of preeclampsia, retinal disease, or another problem that needs prompt care.

Medical note: This article is for general information and education. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

I am not a dermatologist or a doctor, and this content does not replace professional medical advice. What I share comes from real life experience, extensive research, and consultation with healthcare providers. Always consult qualified medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition.

Pregnancy Vision Changes That Need Urgent Care

Some symptoms should not be watched at home to see if they improve.

Contact your obstetric team promptly for new vision changes during pregnancy or in the early weeks after birth, especially when they occur with:

• A headache that will not go away
• High blood pressure
• Seeing spots or bright flashes
• Blurred or double vision
• Blind spots
• Swelling of the face or hands
• Upper abdominal or shoulder pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting later in pregnancy
• Sudden weight gain

These can be warning symptoms of preeclampsia.

Seek emergency eye or medical care for sudden major vision loss, a dark curtain or shadow across your visual field, a sudden shower of new floaters with flashes, severe eye pain, seizure, collapse, weakness, facial drooping, or trouble speaking.

How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Eyes?

Pregnancy changes almost every system in the body, and the eyes are no exception.

Hormonal, vascular, fluid, immune, and metabolic changes can affect the front and back of the eye.

Research has described pregnancy related changes in:

• The tear film
• Corneal thickness
• Corneal curvature
• Contact lens tolerance
• Refractive power
• Eye pressure
• Retinal and choroidal circulation

Most mild changes are temporary and improve after pregnancy, but there is no single timeline that applies to everyone.

For a wider guide to eye care and vision, visit the NextFitLife Eye Health and Vision Hub.

Common Temporary Eye Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy does not affect every person's eyes in the same way.

Possible temporary changes include:

Change	What You May Notice	What to Do
Dry eye	Burning, grittiness, watering, fluctuating blur	Reduce irritation and ask about suitable lubricating drops
Refractive change	Glasses seem slightly less clear	Have vision checked if it affects daily life
Contact lens intolerance	Lenses feel dry or uncomfortable	Reduce wear or use glasses temporarily
Corneal change	Temporary change in focus or lens fit	Avoid rushing into permanent refractive procedures

Dry Eyes During Pregnancy

Dry eye can become more noticeable during pregnancy.

Hormonal changes may affect the tear glands and the stability of the tear film. Changes in the cornea and eyelids can add to the problem.

Symptoms may include:

• Burning
• Stinging
• Grittiness
• A sandy feeling
• Watery eyes
• Temporary blur
• Eye fatigue
• Contact lens discomfort

A 2025 clinical review found that pregnancy related dry eye may become especially noticeable in the second and third trimesters.

Simple Comfort Measures

You can reduce some everyday triggers by:

• Taking regular screen breaks
• Blinking fully and often
• Moving fans away from your face
• Avoiding direct air conditioning on the eyes
• Using a clean humidifier in very dry rooms
• Reducing contact lens wear when symptoms increase

If you use lubricating drops often, ask a pharmacist, optometrist, ophthalmologist, or obstetric clinician which product is suitable during pregnancy.

For more detailed dry eye advice, read our Dry Eye Syndrome guide.

Can Pregnancy Cause Blurred Vision?

Yes, but the cause matters.

Hormonal and fluid changes can temporarily change the thickness or curvature of the cornea. This can produce a mild refractive change.

Your usual glasses may therefore feel slightly less accurate.

However, sudden or major blurred vision should not automatically be blamed on pregnancy.

Blur can also occur with:

• Preeclampsia
• Large blood glucose changes
• Diabetic eye disease
• Migraine
• Retinal problems
• Corneal disease
• Eye inflammation
• Neurological problems

If the change is sudden, one sided, significant, persistent, or associated with headache or other warning symptoms, get medical advice promptly.

Should You Change Your Glasses Prescription During Pregnancy?

Not automatically.

Some pregnancy related prescription changes are temporary and may improve after delivery.

If the blur is mild and does not affect daily life, your eye professional may advise waiting before buying expensive new lenses.

If you cannot work, drive safely, read, or function comfortably, a temporary prescription change may still be reasonable.

The safest approach is to have the vision checked rather than guessing.

Our guide to reading an eye prescription explains SPH, CYL, AXIS, ADD, and other common prescription codes.

Can You Wear Contact Lenses During Pregnancy?

Many people can continue wearing contact lenses if the lenses remain comfortable and the eye surface is healthy.

However, pregnancy related corneal changes and dry eye can reduce lens tolerance.

You may notice:

• Lenses feel dry sooner
• Vision fluctuates
• Lenses feel tight or uncomfortable
• You can wear them for fewer hours

If this happens, reduce wear and use glasses more often.

Stop wearing your lenses and arrange eye care if you develop:

• Significant pain
• Marked redness
• Discharge
• Light sensitivity
• Reduced vision

These symptoms may indicate infection or another eye condition rather than routine pregnancy dryness.

Preeclampsia and Vision Changes

Preeclampsia is one of the most important reasons to take new visual symptoms seriously during pregnancy.

It is a pregnancy related high blood pressure disorder that can affect several organs.

ACOG lists warning symptoms that include:

• A headache that will not go away
• Seeing spots
• Changes in eyesight
• Upper abdominal or shoulder pain
• Nausea or vomiting in the second half of pregnancy
• Sudden swelling of the face or hands
• Sudden weight gain
• Difficulty breathing

Visual symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Bright spots
• Flashing lights
• Blind spots
• Double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Temporary loss of vision

Can Preeclampsia Affect the Retina?

Yes.

Severe high blood pressure can affect the blood vessels of the retina and choroid. In rare severe cases, retinal swelling, bleeding, reduced blood flow, or even serous retinal detachment can occur.

Preeclampsia can also affect the visual pathways in the brain.

This is why a serious vision change during pregnancy may require both obstetric and eye or neurological assessment.

Postpartum Preeclampsia and Vision

The risk does not disappear the moment the baby is born.

Postpartum preeclampsia can first appear after childbirth, including after a pregnancy with normal blood pressure.

ACOG notes that it most often happens within days after delivery but can develop up to six weeks later.

Contact your obstetric clinician immediately if you develop postpartum:

• Blurred vision
• Seeing spots
• Light sensitivity
• A headache that does not go away
• Shortness of breath
• Face or hand swelling
• Upper abdominal or shoulder pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sudden weight gain

ACOG also advises calling promptly for a postpartum blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

Flashes, Floaters, and a Curtain Over Vision

These symptoms need a different type of urgency.

A sudden shower of eye floaters, new flashes of light, or a curtain or dark shadow across your visual field can occur with a retinal tear or retinal detachment.

The National Eye Institute considers retinal detachment a medical emergency because delayed treatment can increase the risk of permanent sight loss.

Get urgent eye care if you suddenly develop:

• Many new floaters
• Flashes of light
• A dark curtain or shadow
• A sudden missing area of vision
• Sudden significant vision loss

Read our Eye Floaters guide for a detailed explanation of these warning signs.

Diabetes, Pregnancy, and Eye Health

The type of diabetes matters.

Preexisting Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes

Pregnancy can increase the risk that existing diabetic retinopathy will progress.

The 2026 American Diabetes Association Standards recommend an eye examination ideally before pregnancy and again during the first trimester for people with preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Further monitoring may be needed during each trimester and for up to one year after delivery, depending on the degree of retinopathy.

If you already have diabetes, read our full Eye Health and Diabetes guide.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is different.

The ADA 2026 Standards state that people who develop gestational diabetes do not need diabetic retinopathy screening solely because of gestational diabetes.

They do not appear to have the same increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy as people with preexisting diabetes.

An eye examination can still be needed if visual symptoms occur or there is another eye health reason.

Can Rapid Glucose Improvement Affect Retinopathy?

This is especially important for people who already have diabetes before pregnancy.

Pregnancy often requires tighter glucose management.

In someone who already has diabetic retinopathy, rapid improvement in blood glucose can sometimes be linked with short term worsening of retinopathy.

This does not mean glucose should remain high.

It means the retina may need closer monitoring while diabetes management improves.

Can You Have an Eye Exam While Pregnant?

Yes.

Pregnancy is not a reason to ignore a vision problem or postpone a medically necessary eye examination.

An eye professional can check:

• Visual acuity
• Prescription changes
• Eye movements
• Pupil reactions
• The cornea
• The tear film
• Eye pressure when needed
• The optic nerve
• The retina

Always tell the eye care professional that you are pregnant and how far along you are.

Are Dilating Eye Drops Safe During Pregnancy?

There is no single answer for every drop or every situation.

Dilation may be recommended when the expected diagnostic benefit is important, such as when the retina needs to be checked for a serious problem.

Your clinician can choose the examination and medication based on your pregnancy stage, symptoms, medical history, and the reason for the exam.

Do not skip urgent retinal assessment because you are worried about dilation without first discussing the risk and benefit with the treating professional.

Are Eye Drops Safe During Pregnancy?

It depends on the active ingredient.

“Eye drops” include many different medicines:

• Lubricating tears
• Allergy drops
• Antibiotics
• Steroids
• Glaucoma medicines
• Redness relievers
• Prescription dry eye medicines

They do not all have the same pregnancy safety information.

Before Using Medicated Drops

• Check the active ingredient
• Tell the clinician or pharmacist that you are pregnant
• Do not use another person's prescription
• Do not use leftover antibiotic drops
• Do not use leftover steroid drops
• Do not suddenly stop an important glaucoma medicine without medical advice

A painful red eye with reduced vision needs diagnosis rather than repeated self treatment.

Can You Reduce Absorption From an Eye Drop?

Some eye medicines can drain through the tear duct into the nose and then enter the bloodstream.

When a clinician has told you to use a medicated eye drop, they may recommend gently closing the eye and applying light pressure to the inner corner near the nose for a short time after the drop.

This technique is called punctal occlusion and can reduce systemic absorption.

Follow the instructions for your specific medicine rather than using this technique as a reason to self prescribe a drug.

LASIK and Refractive Surgery During Pregnancy

Elective refractive surgery such as LASIK is generally postponed during pregnancy.

Pregnancy hormones can temporarily alter corneal shape and prescription, making measurements less stable.

The FDA lists pregnancy and breastfeeding among situations linked with refractive instability.

This means LASIK measurements taken during pregnancy may not represent your long term prescription.

If you are planning LASIK, PRK, or another elective refractive procedure, wait until your eye professional confirms that your prescription and corneal measurements are stable.

Does Eye Pressure Change During Pregnancy?

Intraocular pressure may decrease during pregnancy, especially later in pregnancy.

This does not mean glaucoma is cured or that glaucoma medicines should be stopped.

People with existing glaucoma need individual care because pregnancy changes both eye physiology and medication choices.

If you use glaucoma drops, tell both your eye specialist and obstetric clinician about every medicine you use.

Can Pregnancy Cause Migraine Visual Aura?

Migraine can cause flashing, shimmering, zigzag, or expanding visual patterns.

Some people have migraine for the first time during pregnancy, while others notice that their usual migraine pattern changes.

However, new flashes, blind spots, or visual loss in pregnancy should not automatically be labelled migraine.

Preeclampsia, retinal disease, and neurological conditions can produce overlapping symptoms.

A new or unusual visual event during pregnancy deserves clinical assessment.

11 Practical Ways to Protect Eye Health During Pregnancy

1. Report Major Vision Changes Promptly

Do not wait for your next routine prenatal visit if vision suddenly changes.

Describe exactly what you see and when it began.

2. Manage Dry Eye Safely

Reduce dry air, blink regularly, and ask which lubricating drops are appropriate if symptoms continue.

3. Take Screen Breaks

Pregnancy does not make screens toxic to the eyes, but long screen sessions can reduce blinking and make dryness more noticeable.

Look away regularly and allow your eyes to relax.

4. Reduce Contact Lens Wear if Needed

If lenses become uncomfortable, use glasses more often rather than forcing longer wear.

5. Keep Eye Appointments When They Are Medically Needed

Do not cancel an important retinal or glaucoma appointment simply because you are pregnant.

Tell the clinic about your pregnancy so the examination can be adapted when needed.

6. Take Blood Pressure Warning Signs Seriously

Blood pressure checks are a core part of prenatal care.

If you are monitoring at home, follow the instructions given by your obstetric team.

Vision changes combined with elevated blood pressure deserve prompt attention.

7. Manage Preexisting Diabetes Closely

If you had diabetes before pregnancy, keep both your diabetes and eye teams involved.

Pregnancy specific retinal monitoring may be needed even if your vision feels normal.

8. Use UV Protection Outdoors

Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation or are marked UV400.

See our UV Protection for Eyes guide for more detail.

9. Avoid Homemade Eye Remedies

Do not put honey, lemon, essential oils, breast milk, herbal liquids, homemade saline, or other non sterile mixtures into the eye.

These can irritate the eye or introduce infection.

10. Review Eye Medicines

If you already use prescription drops for glaucoma, inflammation, infection, or another condition, tell the prescribing clinician that you are pregnant.

Do not stop essential treatment suddenly without advice.

11. Keep Watching After Delivery

Pregnancy eye care does not stop at birth.

Watch for new vision symptoms in the first weeks postpartum because postpartum preeclampsia can begin after delivery.

Pregnancy Eye Changes: Usually Temporary or More Concerning?

Symptom	May Be Temporary	Needs Prompt Assessment When
Dryness	Mild burning or grittiness	Pain, marked redness, light sensitivity, or reduced vision develops
Blur	Mild fluctuating prescription change	Sudden, severe, persistent, or linked with headache or blood pressure symptoms
Floaters	Old stable floaters	Sudden shower, flashes, shadow, or vision loss
Contact lens discomfort	Mild dryness	Pain, discharge, strong redness, or reduced vision
Visual spots	Cause cannot be judged safely at home	New in pregnancy, especially with headache or hypertension symptoms

Eye Health During Pregnancy Myths Worth Dropping

Myth 1: All Blurred Vision in Pregnancy Is Normal

No. Mild temporary blur can happen, but new or marked blur may also occur with preeclampsia, diabetes, retinal disease, or other conditions.

Myth 2: Eye Exams Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy

No. Medically necessary eye assessment should not be delayed because of pregnancy.

Myth 3: Every Pregnant Person With Diabetes Needs the Same Retinal Screening

No. Preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes requires pregnancy specific retinal monitoring. Gestational diabetes alone does not automatically require diabetic retinopathy screening.

Myth 4: Vision Changes Stop Being Important After Delivery

No. Postpartum preeclampsia can begin after childbirth and may include vision changes.

Myth 5: Contact Lenses Are Unsafe for Every Pregnant Person

No. Many people can continue wearing them if they remain comfortable and the eyes stay healthy.

Myth 6: A New Glasses Prescription Is Always Permanent

No. Pregnancy can cause temporary refractive changes that may improve after birth.

Myth 7: Herbal Eye Drops Are Safer Because They Are Natural

No. Natural does not mean sterile, effective, or pregnancy safe.

Myth 8: LASIK Is a Good Time Saving Treatment During Pregnancy

No. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause refractive instability, so elective surgery is normally postponed.

Conclusion: Protect Eye Health During Pregnancy Without Panic

Eye health during pregnancy can change because of hormones, fluid shifts, blood pressure, blood sugar, and changes to the tear film and cornea.

Mild dryness, temporary contact lens discomfort, and small prescription shifts can happen. The important skill is knowing which symptoms should not be dismissed as normal pregnancy.

New flashes, blind spots, major blur, double vision, a curtain over vision, sudden vision loss, or vision changes with persistent headache, swelling, breathing difficulty, upper abdominal pain, or high blood pressure need prompt medical assessment.

Your next step: mention any new visual symptom at your pregnancy visits, keep medically needed eye appointments, and know how to contact your obstetric or eye care team quickly if your vision changes suddenly.

Internal Links + Hub

• Eye Health and Vision Hub
• Eye Health and Diabetes
• Eye Floaters and Retinal Warning Signs
• Dry Eye Syndrome Guide
• How to Read an Eye Prescription
• UV Protection for Eyes
• Simple Eye Care Tips
• Sleep and Eye Health

Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Health During Pregnancy

Can pregnancy cause blurred vision?

Yes. Hormonal, corneal, tear film, fluid, and blood sugar changes can temporarily affect visual clarity during pregnancy. However, sudden, severe, or persistent blurred vision should not automatically be considered normal.

When is blurred vision during pregnancy concerning?

Contact your obstetric team promptly for new blurred vision, especially when it occurs with a headache that will not go away, high blood pressure, seeing spots, face or hand swelling, upper abdominal pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or sudden weight gain.

Can preeclampsia cause vision changes?

Yes. Preeclampsia can cause blurred vision, seeing spots, flashes, blind spots, light sensitivity, double vision, or temporary vision loss. New visual symptoms with other preeclampsia warning signs need prompt medical assessment.

Can preeclampsia affect vision after the baby is born?

Yes. Postpartum preeclampsia can first develop after childbirth, including after a pregnancy with normal blood pressure. It can occur up to six weeks after delivery, so new postpartum vision changes should be reported promptly.

Are dry eyes common during pregnancy?

Pregnancy related hormonal and ocular surface changes can contribute to dry eye, burning, grittiness, watering, fluctuating blur, and contact lens discomfort in some people.

Can I wear contact lenses while pregnant?

Often yes if they remain comfortable and your eyes are healthy. Reduce or stop lens wear and get eye care if you develop persistent pain, strong redness, discharge, light sensitivity, or reduced vision.

Should I change my glasses prescription while pregnant?

Pregnancy can cause temporary refractive changes. If the change is mild, waiting may be reasonable. If vision interferes with daily life, an eye care professional can decide whether a temporary prescription change would help.

Does gestational diabetes require a diabetic retinopathy eye exam?

Not automatically. Current ADA guidance states that people who develop gestational diabetes do not require diabetic retinopathy eye examinations solely because of gestational diabetes. This differs from people who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy.

What if I had type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy?

Current ADA guidance recommends an eye examination ideally before pregnancy and again in the first trimester. Additional monitoring during pregnancy and for up to one year postpartum may be needed depending on the degree of diabetic retinopathy.

Are eye drops safe during pregnancy?

Safety depends on the active ingredient and why the drop is being used. Ask your obstetric clinician, pharmacist, optometrist, or ophthalmologist before regularly using medicated eye drops during pregnancy.

Can I have LASIK while pregnant?

Elective refractive surgery is generally postponed because pregnancy can cause refractive and corneal changes. FDA guidance identifies pregnancy and breastfeeding as situations associated with refractive instability.

What do sudden flashes, floaters, or a curtain over vision mean?

They can be signs of a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Sudden new floaters, flashes, a curtain or dark shadow, or sudden significant vision loss needs urgent eye or emergency assessment.

References and Sources

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 3 Conditions to Watch for After Childbirth.https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/3-conditions-to-watch-for-after-childbirth
3. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026: Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy.https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/49/Supplement_1/S321/163918/15-Management-of-Diabetes-in-Pregnancy-Standards
4. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026: Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care.https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/49/Supplement_1/S261/163919/12-Retinopathy-Neuropathy-and-Foot-Care-Standards
5. National Eye Institute. Retinal Detachment.https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment
6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When Is LASIK Not for Me?https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/when-lasik-not-me
7. Madike R, Cugati S, Qin Q, Chen C. Pregnancy and the eye: What do we need to watch out for? A review.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38214050/
8. Physiological and Pathological Changes to the Eye and Vision During and After Pregnancy.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39374945/
9. Jaruchowska M, et al. Pregnancy and Dry Eye Syndrome: A Review for Clinical Practice.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12563004/

Medical disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist or a doctor, and this content does not replace professional medical advice. What I share comes from real life experience, extensive research, and consultation with healthcare providers. Always consult qualified medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition.