While it’s common for new mothers to schedule postpartum checkups for their general health, one part of the body is often overlooked: the eyes. A postpartum eye exam may not be at the top of your list, but it’s a crucial process many new mothers don't realize they need.
Pregnancy and childbirth may have significant impacts on vision and eye health. So skipping the eye exam after giving birth could have negative long-term consequences. Learn why postpartum eye exams are important and why you should not ignore this part of afterbirth care.
The Underdiscussed Topic of Women’s Eye Health After Giving Birth
Women’s eye health after pregnancy is not talked about enough. Especially when it comes to the importance of postpartum eye exams. While most women go through general postpartum checkups, very few are informed about the potential effects on the eyes after giving birth.
The lack of awareness puts many mothers at risk. They may miss the opportunity to catch serious eye conditions early or address uncomfortable but manageable vision changes before complications occur. As a new mother, your eye health is as important as caring for your baby.
By going for a postpartum eye exam you get peace of mind. So you could enjoy motherhood without the added stress of preventable eye issues.
How Pregnancy and Childbirth Affect Your Eyes?
Hormonal fluctuations, fluid retention, and blood pressure changes during and after pregnancy can cause profound changes in your eyes. Most changes are minor and temporary, but there are also bigger risks for vision and developing severe conditions.
Some women are more prone to eye issues related to childbirth and being pregnant than others. In particular, those with diagnosed preeclampsia, diabetes, preexisting glaucoma, and chronic conditions. At risk are also women experiencing significant hormonal and blood pressure changes during and after pregnancy.
The most common vision changes are dry eyes, blurry vision, swollen eyelids, and changes in prescription. The rare but more serious eye conditions during and after pregnancy are preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure, and more.
A postpartum eye exam can evaluate the ocular health of the new mother. By doing this, any issues could be treated effectively and the chance for complications is lower.
For more information on how pregnancy and giving birth affect eye health, read our detailed resources:
Why You Shouldn’t Skip a Postpartum Eye Exam
Despite the dangers to vision, a postpartum eye exam is not a routine part of maternal care for many women. The implications of skipping an eye exam after giving birth are delayed diagnosis of eye conditions and permanent eyesight alterations.
Delayed Diagnosis of Serious Conditions
Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or preeclampsia complications can progress rapidly without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. By the time vision changes become apparent, significant and sometimes irreversible damage may have already occurred. A postpartum eye exam can catch these issues early when treatment is most effective.
Permanent Vision Changes
For some women, vision changes during pregnancy don't resolve after childbirth. Failing to get an eye exam postpartum results in a delay in necessary vision corrections. That potentially means dealing with further eye strain, discomfort, and difficulties with everyday tasks.
Overall Well-being
New mothers are always juggling the tasks of caring for their babies and managing their recovery after giving birth. However, ignoring eye problems could hinder the ability to care for a newborn child. Prioritizing the postpartum eye exam ensures you are in the best shape to handle the demands of motherhood.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam Postpartum
A postpartum eye exam is similar to a regular eye checkup, with a few added elements based on the needs of new moms.
What to expect during your appointment:
Discussion of symptoms and medical history
Comprehensive eye health evaluation
Updated prescription
The postpartum eye exam starts with a discussion of symptoms. The eye doctor asks about noticeable vision changes, when they occurred, and for how long the patient had them. Then the new mother shares her personal and family history of disease, so the examiner could estimate the risks.
Your eye doctor will then perform a full perinatal examination of your eyes. They check for any signs of damage or changes due to pregnancy and giving birth. The postpartum eye exam evaluation includes assessing vision, checking eye pressure, and examining the retina for signs of diabetic retinopathy or other pregnancy-related complications.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, your prescription is likely to change during pregnancy. The eye doctor will assess your vision clarity and update your prescription if needed. That way, you get to enjoy optimal vision moving forward.
RELATED: How to Read Eyeglasses Prescription?
When to Schedule a Postpartum Eye Exam?
Women have to go through an eye exam after giving birth, but not right away. After all, the body needs to recover a bit. It's optimal to schedule your postpartum eye exam within two to eight weeks after childbirth.
We recommend earlier appointments for new mothers with severe eye issues during pregnancy. If you have preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or any pregnancy complications, have your eyes checked as soon as possible.
Women's eye health depends a lot on how seriously the community takes adequate postnatal care. With limited educational resources on the topic, Ophthalmology24 wants to shed light on the risks to the eyes after giving birth.
Our goal is for each new mom to be able to enjoy clear vision and quality time with her newborn. For you, that starts by scheduling a postpartum eye exam and sharing our article with other expecting and new mothers.
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Checked by Atanas Bogoev, MD.