Eyesight worsening during pregnancy

[~Phoenix~]

not sure if this is right place to post this but...

I have needed glasses since a kid for short-sightedness. The past few weeks I've noticed my vision is getting worse to the point driving & using comp makes me feel nauseous & getting headaches, finally got round to making an appointment to have my eyes rechecked this arvo.

My question is can pregnancy affect your eyesight? Has anyone else had this problem? If you did is it permanant?

I wear disposable contacts and get new script every six months, so not too much of a drama if they'll alter again after bubs, but I'm borderline prescription as it is to use these and don't want the expense of custom made lenses only to not need them in a few months.

TIA

[butterfly_warrior]

Just one word for you - relaxin.

It works on the muscles in the eyes as well. I found my eyesight changed dramatically when I was pregnant - I had constant eyestrain headaches. They prefer not to give new glasses during pregnancy, but I couldn't really drive unless I had them changed.

It's usually not permanent, but now that Sam is nearly 12 months old, I'm still wearing the glasses I got while pregnant. They aren't perfect, but they're ok and I'm not getting headaches and we can't justify the expense of getting new glasses right now. I kept the old ones in case I needed to go back to them, but I don't know where they are right now - and I prefer these frames!

BW

[Tiff+2]

I'm sorry to say but it will only get worse as your preg progresses!!! I had the same thing with DD and by the end I couldn't read one of those big green street signs, everything was blury and a major way!

Tehy told me it was because during preg everything get swollen including something in or behind the eye (I can't excatly remember what it was they said as it was over 2 years ago!).

So far I haven't had the same prob but am expecting it to happen again.

Sorry, thats probably not what you wanted to hear! Take care

[~Phoenix~]

hmmm that's what google says too, I know I shouldn't be on there looking it can be evil

I can get my lenses in 3 month supply so might just do that, so if they keep changing should be easy to keep on top of.

I have needed my glasses/contacts to see to drive even before being preggers and at moment I'm struggling to read the speed limit signs unless they are about 15m away so think and upgrade of some sort is needed.

[~Trish~]

Yep, my eyesight went really bad with each of my pregnancies too. It was way worse with #3 and still isn't brilliant now that she's 3 months old. I can't read the aisle signs at supermarkets and I can't focus on anything in there, so annoying!

It does settle down eventually though, so don't invest in anything too expensive just yet!

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I am short sighted as well and was gradually getting worse about -.25 every 6-12 months or so. When I was pregnant my eyesight deteriorated by 0.75 in less than 6 months and it hasn't gotten better yet, I think I'll be getter laser eye surgery once I've stopped breastfeeding

[sneakysparkle]

My eyes were all fuzzy with long distances when I was pg with DD#1 - I was told it was extra fluid changing the shape of your lense?
Anyway, my eyes were completely fine with DD#2 - but I didn't have a any fluid retention either!

[delphmoon]

Well this thread describes my eyesight experiences in a nutshell! Being an avid reader prior to getting pg I am frustrated that I can't read even for 5 mins without getting a headache!

So am I to understand that there is no point in getting glasses? I have never worn glasses but am the only one in my family who doesn't wear glasses.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I have noticed that also, i just put it down to just getting blinder! but thats good to know that it happens in pregnancy as i didnt know that.. it just sucks my glasses are broken i need to wear them at work i have to squint to see half the time..

[~Phoenix~]

I finally got round to getting my eyes tested, my prescription has changed but no more than what he expected since my last eye test. So have new contacts and more regular cleaning as I normally wear the leave in ones but coz of pregnancy there is apparently more lipids in my tears and they put a greasy coating on them.

At least I know nothing major is wrong and likely to all be good againonce bubs is born

[Curly]

Yes this is normal. I had laser surgery on my eyes and then when I was pregnant with DS, I had to dig out my old glasses - otherwise I couldn't drive because I just couldn't see!

I was told not to worry too much and they are reluctant to give pregnant women new prescriptions because it is a lot of expense for something which is highly likely to be temporary.

And yes, my eyes went back to normal after he was born. Interestingly, it never happened with DD and it hasn't happened again this time.

[Linzy]

Well thankgod! I have been internally stressing as I have noticed when I vacuum I can't see where I've been (on hard wood floors and tiles with lots of dog hair) I never had this problem before. I normally wear glasses everyday anyhow but have been not wearing them while I read my uni texts as it gives me double vision after awhile (cos my glasses are for driving and watching tellie not reading) so thats why i can't see the floors! Interesting..I'll stay away from the dreaded google monster for now

[Curly]

So am I to understand that there is no point in getting glasses? I have never worn glasses but am the only one in my family who doesn't wear glasses.

I'd wait until after bubs is born, if you can stand it. If you are still having trouble with your eyes when bubby is 4 months old then I would go and get tested. If you went now, your prescription would probably need changing after the baby is born.

If you really need glasses now, I suppose if you had private health insurance you could just get the lenses replaced in the frames after the baby is born and it wouldn't cost as much...it's usually the cost of the frames that break the bank.

[Stevie]

thathappened to me, my doctor told me not to aste my money changeing my glasses coz they'll keep changeing and will most likely go back to normal.
i went and got my eyes tested when she was 8 weeks old and they told me to come back in 3 months (or so) coz my eyes will keep changeing..
i was like "wth ad\m i supposed to do til then?" wearing glasses gives me a headache,a nd my licence says i have to ..
so im just gonna wait and hope i dont get pulled over. lol.

[Lulu]

Mine got worse too - but also improved after!