08.10.2026

Pregnancy and the eyes: understanding changes in vision

Pregnancy brings about many physical changes. Under the influence of hormones, circulatory and metabolic changes gradually occur. These changes can also affect the eyes and vision. It is estimated that around one in four pregnant women will experience visual disturbances during pregnancy.

In most cases, these changes are normal, temporary and reversible after childbirth. However, it is important to be aware of certain symptoms so that you can seek medical advice if necessary.

Why do your eyes change during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body produces significant amounts of hormones, notably oestrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG). These hormones play a part in foetal development but also affect the body as a whole: adjustments to blood circulation, metabolic changes and fluid balance.

Progesterone, for example, promotes an increase in blood volume and water retention. These phenomena explain certain well-known symptoms such as swollen legs… but they can also affect the eye’s tissues. A slight build-up of fluid in the cornea (the transparent window at the front of the eye) can alter its curvature. This can lead to a temporary change in vision.

The most common changes affecting the eyes

Dry eyes

Many pregnant women may experience a stinging sensation or a feeling of grit in their eyes, leading to eye discomfort, particularly when wearing contact lenses.

These symptoms are linked to a change in the quantity and quality of the tear film caused by hormonal changes. In most cases, using artificial tears is sufficient to improve comfort.

Fluctuating vision

Some pregnant women notice that their vision becomes less clear or changes slightly during pregnancy. This may be due to a temporary change in the thickness and curvature of the cornea, and to fluid retention in other eye tissues (such as the retina).

These changes may give the impression that their glasses or contact lens prescription is no longer suitable. In most cases, it is best to wait until after the postnatal period before changing your prescription, as vision usually returns to normal.

Decreased intraocular pressure

The pressure inside the eye often decreases during pregnancy. This is a common occurrence and generally causes no symptoms.

Severe short-sightedness and childbirth: a common misconception

For a long time, it was thought that women with severe myopia (< -6 dioptres) should give birth by caesarean section to avoid retinal detachment during the pushing stage of labour.

New evidence from the scientific literature has shown that there is no link between vaginal delivery and retinal detachment, even in patients with severe myopia. Prophylactic laser photocoagulation of peripheral retinal tears is also not indicated in the absence of symptoms if a vaginal delivery is planned. This is because peripheral retinal lesions do not change during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Eye conditions that may develop during pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a rare complication of late pregnancy (affecting 3 to 5 per cent of pregnancies), characterised by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. It can lead to visual symptoms such as: blurred vision, floaters, flashes of light and temporary loss of vision. Other non-ophthalmological symptoms are also associated with the condition: headaches, tinnitus, rapid weight gain or swelling of the hands, legs or face.

These symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Diabetic retinopathy

As the incidence of diabetes is rising in the general global population, it is therefore logical to observe an increase in the number of patients with pre-existing diabetes prior to pregnancy. Diabetes (all types combined) affects around 17 per cent of pregnancies worldwide. Cases of pre-existing diabetes prior to pregnancy account for 2.7 per cent of pregnancies.

In women with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) present before pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retinal blood vessels) may progress more rapidly during these nine months, particularly in the event of poor blood glucose control. Ophthalmological monitoring is therefore recommended for diabetic patients before, during and after pregnancy.

By contrast, isolated gestational diabetes rarely leads to ocular complications, as the insulin resistance is short-lived and of recent onset.

Do, however, keep an eye out for certain visual symptoms

These signs may sometimes be linked to pregnancy complications and require medical advice.

Although most changes are harmless, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention: a sudden loss of vision, seeing flashes of light, noticing numerous floaters, double vision, or unusual sensitivity to light.

When should you see an ophthalmologist during pregnancy?

It is advisable to seek medical advice if your vision suddenly deteriorates, if you experience flashes of light or a dark veil in your field of vision, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, or if you already have a known eye condition.

Women with diabetes (diabetes present before pregnancy) should generally have an eye examination at each trimester of pregnancy.

What happens after giving birth?

In the vast majority of cases, vision returns to normal after giving birth. It is generally advisable to wait 6 to 9 months after giving birth before having a full eye test or changing your prescription.

Some tips for protecting your eyes

Use artificial tears if you suffer from dry eyes
Avoid making any permanent changes to your prescription whilst pregnant
See your doctor regularly
Follow a balanced diet rich in omega-3, which is beneficial not only for the surface of the eye but also for your baby’s brain development. Oily fish (cooked salmon, sardines, mackerel) and vegetable oils (rapeseed, linseed, walnut) are good sources of this nutrient.

Key points

Pregnancy can lead to a number of changes in the eyes due to hormonal and circulatory changes. Fortunately, most of these are harmless and temporary.

However, if you experience any unusual or sudden visual symptoms, you should always seek specialist medical advice from your ophthalmologist. Appropriate monitoring helps to protect the mother’s eye health whilst ensuring the pregnancy progresses smoothly.

Our ophthalmology specialist

Med. pract. Victoire Hurand

Victoire Hurand, MD is a specialist in ophthalmology and works as a head of clinic at Swiss Visio. She completed a successful career in ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery at the University Hospitals of Dijon and Beaune (France) before deciding to specialise more deeply within the Swiss Visio network. Always striving to perfect her skills, she specialised in refractive surgery at the Fondation Rothschild, obtained several inter-university diplomas (cornea, contactology, medical retina, refractive surgery and ocular inflammation) as well as a research master's degree and is part of the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBOD).

Victoire Hurand welcomes her patients, including emergencies, in the ophthalmological consultation at Montchoisi, Chavannes, and Palézieux village.

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