Following delivery, new mothers often focus on their baby’s health, ignoring their own. That's especially true for eye health. The postpartum period brings many physical and emotional changes. For some women, this includes eye problems after giving birth.
Considerations for Postpartum Eye Health
Refractive Changes
The hormonal and fluid shifts that affect vision during pregnancy may not resolve immediately after delivery. Women with myopia or hyperopia may notice changes in their prescription during the postpartum period. New mothers with pre-existing astigmatism may also observe their vision getting worse.
Some refractive eye problems after giving birth show as persistent blurring or difficulty focusing. This may indicate a need for a temporary updated prescription.
Wait until your vision stabilizes, usually a few months postpartum, before getting a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses. If you’re breastfeeding, it might take longer for your vision to return to its pre-pregnancy state.
Corneal Changes
Pregnancy hormones can cause the cornea to swell and change shape. Such corneal alteration results in vision shifts which may persist after birth. New mothers prone to fluid retention or with pre-existing corneal conditions are more susceptible.
Common signs of corneal changes are discomfort with contact lenses, blurring, or double vision. These eye problems after giving birth may call for an updated prescription for women with astigmatism or refractive errors.
If you wear contact lenses, you might need to switch to glasses temporarily until your vision stabilizes. Discuss any ongoing issues with your eye doctor.
Stress and Fatigue
The physical and emotional stress of caring for a newborn, along with sleep deprivation, can strain your eyes and lead to eye problems after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression or anxiety are more prone to stress-related eye problems.
The signs of anxiety-induced issues are eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. These symptoms are rarely vision-threatening and can wear out once the mental state of the woman improves.
Take breaks to rest your eyes, stay hydrated, and try to get as much sleep as possible. Even brief periods of rest can alleviate eye strain and help you cope.
Common Eye Problems After Giving Birth
While many eye-related symptoms after childbirth are temporary, others may call for medical attention. Understanding the scope of eye problems after giving birth can help you manage symptoms and seek appropriate care when necessary.
Dry Eyes
Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can affect tear production. That leads to dry, irritated eyes. Sleep deprivation, a common issue for new mothers, can worsen this problem. Women with pre-existing autoimmune conditions or hormonal imbalances are at higher risk of experiencing dry eyes postpartum.
Dry eyes can cause a gritty or burning sensation, redness, and sensitivity to light. You might also notice blurred vision or the feeling of something in your eye.
Use preservative-free artificial tears for relief and to lubricate your eyes. Ensure you're staying hydrated and rest your eyes regularly, especially when spending time on screens.
Blurry Vision
Postpartum hormonal fluctuations, fluid retention, and changes in blood pressure can affect vision after childbirth. Blurry vision may affect women with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, as both can affect the eyes' blood vessels.
The symptoms are vision that appears fuzzy or out of focus. This is more prominent when reading or looking at screens, or when you didn't catch up on sleep. While blurry vision is one of the most common eye problems after giving birth, it often improves within a few weeks. However, persistent symptoms should not be ignored.
Monitor your vision and consult your eye doctor if it doesn’t improve. If you experience headaches or dizziness, along with blurry vision, this may be a sign of an underlying condition.
Postpartum Preeclampsia
One of the most severe eye problems after giving birth is postpartum preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition associated with high blood pressure during pregnancy. It can continue or even develop after childbirth (postpartum preeclampsia). Women with a history of high blood pressure are most at risk.
Seeing spots, flashing lights, or auras are the vision changes with postpartum preeclampsia. Other symptoms are severe headaches, light sensitivity, and a sudden increase in blood pressure. The condition can lead to severe vision issues if it causes swelling or damage to the retina, the part of the eye processing visual information.
Preeclampsia requires immediate medical attention. If you experience persistent eye problems after giving birth talk to your eye doctor or seek emergency care.
Migraine-Associated Visual Disturbances
Hormonal changes after childbirth can trigger migraines. Migraines may present with visual disturbances known as auras. These can occur even if you have never had intense headaches before.
Visual auras may be seeing zigzag patterns, flashing lights, or blind spots in your field of vision. These symptoms can be alarming but are usually temporary.
Rest in a dark, quiet room if you experience a migraine with aura.
Consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication while breastfeeding.
Increased Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
Some women recently given birth may experience increased intraocular pressure (IOP). While IOP may cause visual disturbances, they tend to be temporary. However, it can be a concern if there is a preexisting condition like ocular hypertension or glaucoma.
Eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, and nausea are noticeable IOP eye problems after giving birth. Yet, only a doctor can accurately measure the intraocular pressure in the eye and make the diagnosis. So if you have doubts, contact your eye doctor for a postpartum check-up.
Regular eye exams are essential for new mothers. In particular, those with a history of high eye pressure or glaucoma. If symptoms persist, an eye specialist may recommend appropriate treatments.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment is a rare but serious condition where the retina separates from the back of the eye. Though rare, retinal detachment can occur during or after childbirth. Women with extreme physical strain during delivery are more prone to this condition. Other risk factors are high myopia, pre-existing eye problems, or a history of retinal issues.
Symptoms of retinal detachment after giving birth are flashes of light, floaters, or a dark shadow or curtain over part of your visual field.
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. If you experience these symptoms, seek urgent care.
Postpartum Thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland that can occur postpartum. It can lead to both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), which may cause eye problems after giving birth due to a change in hormone levels.
Vision problems may include dryness, irritation, or blurred vision. You may also experience other symptoms such as weight changes, fatigue, and mood swings.
Blood tests can diagnose postpartum thyroiditis. Treatment may involve hormone therapy or medications to manage symptoms.
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When to Seek Medical Help for Eye Problems After Childbirth?
While many postpartum eye problems resolve on their own, others demand prompt medical attention.
Contact your eye doctor if you experience:
Persistent or worsening blurry vision
Severe headaches
Migraines with visual disturbances
Sudden vision loss
Dark spots in the field of vision
Eye pain or discomfort that doesn’t improve
High blood pressure or swelling
Protecting Your Vision Postpartum
Take care of your eye health during the postpartum period:
Go for a postpartum eye exam
Get a healthy diet
Stay hydrated
Use artificial tears
Take adequate rest
Manage stress
Schedule a full eye exam after giving birth. If you have a history of eye problems, work closely with your eye doctor during the postpartum period. Follow a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins that support eye health like vitamins A, C, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Ask your attending doctor if you need to take additional supplements.
Drinking plenty of water keeps your eyes hydrated. It also lowers the risk of dry eye syndrome. Use artificial tears if you feel scratchy sensations when blinking due to dry eyes. As challenging as it may be with a newborn, try to get enough sleep. Rest your eyes whenever possible.
Stress management can prevent conditions like eye strain and migraines. Practice relaxation techniques, seek support from loved ones, and don’t hesitate to ask for help with childcare.
If you experience postpartum depression, contact the international help hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline offers 24/7 confidential support via call or text in English and Spanish. To get support in your native language (different than English or Spanish), inform your healthcare provider and contact a local hotline.
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Conclusion
Knowing the potential eye problems after giving birth is the first step towards managing symptoms and seeking medical care when necessary. Remember, as a new mom, your health is just as important as your baby’s. Don’t hesitate to address any concerns about your vision during your postpartum period.
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Checked by Atanas Bogoev, MD.