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PregnancyPregnancy causes many hormonal changes that affect your body's normal function, and your vision is no exception. Most of these changes are temporary inconveniences and return to normal after the pregnancy's conclusion, but they can feel significant at the moment or be symptoms of more urgent issues. 

It is essential to know what changes to expect, how to cope with the impacts, and when you might need to seek further medical advice. If you have pre-existing vision issues or are diabetic, it is vital to have regular visits with an optometrist to monitor changes. 

Our team at Asheville Vision and Wellness is available weekdays, often with next-day appointments available, if you think you need eye care quickly. 

Let’s get into what you can expect with your vision during pregnancy.

Vision Changes During Pregnancy Asheville, NC

The most common vision changes during pregnancy are dry, itchy eyes, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. Hormones during pregnancy are known to reduce your natural tear production. Dry eyes can make wearing contact lenses extremely uncomfortable, and frequent rubbing increases the risk of causing an abrasion on the eye’s surface. 

Another standard vision change during pregnancy is blurry vision, including difficulty focusing on objects or losing peripheral vision. Just like you feel it in your ankles and feet, hormonal changes in the adrenal glands cause fluid buildup throughout the body, your eyes included. Water retention increases the internal pressure of your eye, distorting the natural curvature of the lens.

The alteration to your eyes’ shape also changes how light enters the eye. A minor change can make you more sensitive to light. Even in settings where it wouldn’t usually cause concern, you might find yourself squinting or experiencing headaches and ocular migraines.

Most common eye symptoms can be helped by not putting your eyes under undue stress. Light sensitivity, blurriness, and dryness can all be reduced through some simple steps:

  • Make sure you are reading with plenty of light
  • Wear sunglasses when driving or working outdoors in bright sunlight
  • Take frequent rests when doing computer work (use the 20-20-20 rule by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of work)
  • Try to blink more often

When to Seek Medical Attention

Vision changes are not themselves indicators of a complication during pregnancy. Just keep your regular doctor and eye doctor aware of changes as they occur during the pregnancy. 

If you are located in Buncombe or its neighboring counties in Western North Carolina and have a question regarding changes to your vision during pregnancy, reach out to our team on weekdays at (828) 747-9260.

However, if eye symptoms are severe, onset suddenly, or are accompanied by the following additional symptoms, you should promptly speak to your general doctor as you may be at risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

  • Severe headaches that do not respond to pain relief
  • Extreme swelling of your upper extremities and face
  • Unusually high thirst
  • Persistent floating spots, double vision, loss of eyesight

Asheville Vision and Wellness

If you are planning for pregnancy and want to be prepared or are currently experiencing changes to your vision caused by pregnancy and need eye care in Buncombe County, make Asheville Vision and Wellness your preferred choice. We have provided Asheville and the greater area of Western North Carolina with the best care and latest technology available since 1989.

Schedule an appointment for a regular eye exam today to discuss issues you may be having with pregnancy-related dryness, visual acuity, photosensitivity, or irritation.