Refractive Eye Error

Refractive eye error is nothing serious but just a minor change in your vision that's caused due to hormonal changes.

These changes cause your eyes to swell, which leads to eye problems.

If you are near-sighted (myopia), then your number is likely to change a fair bit and you may have to change your glasses.

For far-sighted women, the change is minimal and you may experience blurred vision.

In case you find it difficult to cope with these vision changes, visit an ophthalmologist to check whether you need glasses, until your delivery.

After your delivery this shift will rectify and you will not be required to wear any glasses.

For some it may be a very prominent shift while for some others it may be a negligible one.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome usually occurs in the second trimester and is fairly common.

This is mainly caused due to deficiency of the hormone, androgen, which leads to low secretion of tears. Nausea and vomiting in your first trimester may cause dehydration and lead to dry eyes.

A gritty feeling, soreness or redness in your eye towards the evening is a sign of dry eye syndrome.

Contact lens users are generally unable to withstand this as the lenses tend to cause irritation due to the dryness.

To prevent dry eye syndrome to some extent;

• Avoid dry, windy weather, heat and smoke.
• Wear sunglasses while out.

In case the irritation gets unbearable, you can use lubricating eye drops. These are usually safe during pregnancy but double check with your gynaecologist.

Diabetic Retinopathy

If you are diabetic, then you will be prone to vision problems, even before you are pregnant. During pregnancy, these problems could worsen and lead to haemorrhages.

The only symptom of Diabetic Retinopathy is blurred vision.

In case you are a diabetic, then you need to go for a periodic eye check up.

For severe cases, vision is corrected by way of laser treatment. This problem cannot be resolved with glasses.

This condition will last so long as you have diabetes.

Detached Retina and Eye Haemorrhage

Detached Retina and Eye Haemorrhage are caused due to hypertension or high blood pressure. There are no specific symptoms for these conditions.

However, a sudden rise in blood pressure levels can lead to permanent vision loss. All you need to do is keep a check on your blood pressure.

If you already have high blood pressure, you need to take the prescribed medication properly and go for frequent check-ups.

The only way to keep these complications at bay is by keeping your blood pressure under control.

Just be sure to go for an eye check-up, in case you have vision problems. Make sure you keep a check on your blood-sugar levels and blood-pressure in order to avoid complications.

(Inputs from Dr. V.A. Sanjana, Ophthalmologist)