Most women would agree that there are numerous transformations in one’s body after delivering a baby. Vision changes after pregnancy could also be added to this list. Due to a myriad of bodily changes a woman experiences during and after pregnancy, some physical changes occurring in the internal systems could lead to changes in the vision of a new mother. In addition, there may be a little discomfort for women who face vision dizziness, which may impact their usual routines. Keep reading this post as we tell you about some possible reasons, signs, and management of vision abnormalities in women post-delivery (1).
Causes Of Vision Changes After Pregnancy
Due to the hormonal changes in the internal system, the mother may experience problems of blurry vision or dizziness. Some of the effective causes of the vision change may include:
1. Blurred vision
After childbirth, the fluid retention capacity of the eye ducts are extremely hampered. As a result, the cornea cannot sustain its normal shape, and the vision may get blurred or highly distorted.
2. Preeclampsia
Women suffering from high blood pressure issues may encounter preeclampsia. In such cases, the mother may suffer from vision problems, including light sensitivity or blurry vision and retinal detachment. It is highly recommended to consult your gynecologist and take the requisite medications for effective treatment. According to Dr. Rohit Adyanthaya, MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, “Patients who develop preeclampsia and eclampsia can have decreased vision from damage to the blood vessels in the retina. The most common retinal exam finding in this condition is constriction or spasm of retinal vessels, but there could also be hemorrhages and swelling of the retina, which can lead to decrease in vision. The retinal swelling can sometimes be very severe, to cause exudative retinal detachment, which can cause significant loss of vision. Rarely increased blood pressure can damage the part of the brain (occipital cortex), which is responsible for vision, and this is called cortical blindness.”
3. Gestational diabetes
The percentage of blood sugar level may fluctuate during and after the pregnancy phase. Overt diabetes (preexisting diabetes) is more dangerous than gestational diabetes mellitus for visual problem. Such changes of blood sugar level may harshly damage the small blood vessels attached to the eye retina. Thus, a temporary form of diabetes known as gestational diabetes occurs in this phase of gestation, and this can often hamper the eyesight, and the mother may suffer from blurry vision (2). Dr. Adyanthaya adds, “Pregnancy can worsen diabetic retinopathy, wherein there is leakage of blood from the retinal blood vessels due to diabetes. This can cause significant vision loss if not treated promptly.”
4. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)
Sometimes women do stress out in their pregnancy phase and suffer from the problems of hypertension after their childbirth. It can often lead to abnormal vision changes (3).
5. Pituitary adenoma
Mothers rarely encounter the problem of Pituitary adenoma. But in some rare cases, a tumor growth occurs in the pituitary gland of the women’s body. They inhibit the normal functioning of the hormonal secretion within the body, which can further lead to vision problems after pregnancy.
Symptoms of Vision Changes After Pregnancy
Some of the common symptoms of postpartum eye problems, normally experienced may include:
Treatment Of Vision Problems Experienced After Pregnancy
Vision changes encountered after the childbirth usually persists for six-eight months. During the pregnancy phase, contact lens users are often recommended to switch to normal glasses for their pregnancy phase. Some of the treatment or curative measures to cure vision problems after pregnancy may include:
1. Treatment of dry eyes
The problem of dry eyes can simply treated by utilizing the saline solution, which is normally used by the contact lens users. You can also contact an experienced ophthalmologist, who can prescribe effective eye drops or artificial tears to cure the vision problems (8).
2. Treatment Of Blurred Vision
If the condition of blurred vision persists for more than ten months after the childbirth, you can consult the ophthalmologist. He can further recommend for LASIK laser eye surgery or new contact lenses for your eyes.
3. Treatment Of Preeclampsia
Problems of preeclampsia can be effectively treated by taking prescribed medications like oral antihypertensive (nicardia, labetalol) and timely delivery.
4. Treatment of gestational diabetes
By regular exercising and eating a well-balanced diet (medical nutrition therapy), gestational diabetes can be effectively treated. All these effective treatments and prescribed medications can help mothers to get rid of their vision problems after pregnancy.
