Pregnancy and Retinal Health: What to Know
If your vision seems a little different during pregnancy, you may wonder whether it is just another temporary change or something worth getting checked. Often, pregnancy-related vision changes are harmless and resolve after delivery. But in some cases, especially for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or an existing retinal condition, changes in vision can indicate an issue that needs closer monitoring. Here’s what pregnant patients should know about retinal health and when to seek care.
How Can Pregnancy Affect Your Vision?
Pregnancy causes changes throughout the body that can also affect the eyes. As hormone levels shift and the body retains more fluid, some patients notice mild blurriness, dryness, or changes in how their contact lenses fit. These symptoms are often temporary and improve after pregnancy.
Blood volume also increases substantially during pregnancy, which can affect the retina, the tissue at the back of the eye responsible for processing light into the images we see. Higher blood volume can cause retinal blood vessels to leak fluid, leading to swelling and blurred vision.
For patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain pregnancy complications, these changes can be particularly dangerous.
Retinal Conditions During Pregnancy
A few retinal conditions that may develop during pregnancy include:
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy develops when chronically elevated blood sugar damages the small blood vessels that nourish the retina. Over time, these vessels may leak fluid or blood, become blocked, or trigger the growth of abnormal new vessels, potentially threatening vision.
For patients with preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hormonal and vascular changes from pregnancy can increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. If retinal changes are already present, these changes can also cause the condition to progress more quickly. Patients with diabetes who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should talk to both their OB provider and a retina specialist about a monitoring plan.
For patients who develop diabetes for the first time during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes, emerging research suggests that temporary elevations in blood sugar may also impact retinal health. A recent study comparing women with gestational diabetes, pregnant women without diabetes, and healthy nonpregnant women found subtle differences in the small retinal blood vessels of those with gestational diabetes, despite participants having no previous diabetes or retinal disease. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, continue working with your care team to manage blood sugar and make sure to report any new or unusual changes in vision.
High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia
During pregnancy, women are at risk of developing preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure that typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. When blood pressure rises significantly, the small vessels within the retina can become damaged, which may lead to leakage, swelling, or reduced blood flow. These changes, often referred to as hypertensive retinopathy, may include blurred vision, flashing lights, spots in the visual field, or increased sensitivity to light.
Women with chronic high blood pressure face a higher risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy, though it can also occur in those with no known risk factors. Therefore, any new vision changes should be reported to your obstetric provider promptly.
If you have high blood pressure and are planning to become pregnant, consider talking to your OB about seeing a retina specialist early on for monitoring.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Changes due to pregnancy have also been associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), a condition in which fluid collects beneath the retina, usually in the area responsible for detailed central vision.
When this happens, patients may notice blurred or distorted vision, a dim or dark spot in the center of their vision, or that straight lines appear bent or warped. Pregnancy-related CSCR is more commonly seen later in pregnancy and often improves after delivery, but any new visual changes should still be evaluated.
What Vision Changes Should You Report During Pregnancy?
Sudden or significant vision changes during pregnancy always deserve attention. Contact your provider if you develop symptoms such as:
- A sudden decrease or loss of vision
- New or worsening blurry vision
- Flashes of light
- A sudden increase in floaters
- Dark spots or missing areas in your field of vision
- A shadow or curtain moving across your vision
- Distorted or wavy central vision
- Double vision
Protecting Your Retinal Health During Pregnancy
Most pregnancy-related vision changes do not lead to lasting problems. However, patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or related pregnancy complications may benefit from closer retinal monitoring.
At Palmetto Retina Center, our fellowship-trained, board-certified ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the retina, macula, and vitreous. With retina centers in Columbia, Sumter, Florence, and Aiken, our team provides advanced retinal care to patients throughout South Carolina and surrounding communities.
If you are pregnant and have been advised to monitor your retinal health, or you are experiencing new changes in your vision, contact us today to learn more.