When you get pregnant, your body drastically changes to accommodate your baby’s growth. Among these new symptoms and hormonal shifts are the physiological and pathological changes to your eyes and vision, which can affect you even after the baby is born.
This includes but is not limited to melasma, decreased tear production, corneal thickness, blurred vision, decreased peripheral resistance, and reduced intraocular pressure.
It can feel scary to experience such a distinctive change in a crucial part of your body and daily life, but there are ways to address these concerns. Of course, any significant changes or symptoms should be shared with your physician.
That said, you can also make other simple lifestyle choices along with this medical supervision to keep your eyes comfortable during and after your pregnancy.
Spend time in nature
Although you need to be careful about the UVA and UVB rays from the sun, you shouldn’t avoid going outside completely. While babies aren’t meant to be in direct sunlight until they are at least six months old, new mothers can still spend time outside now and then.
A lovely outdoor adventure can do wonders for your mental health and has been proven to alleviate eye strain. Studies find that spending time in nature can help produce essential vitamins to maintain eye health.
Additionally, exposure to natural light can contribute to better visual function and stimulation. This is, in part, due to the effects of the environment, but it also comes from a tendency to spend less time in front of screens when you’re outside.
Wear sunglasses
Many women experience light sensitivity and blurred vision during or after their pregnancy. This can be indicative of preeclampsia, which must be addressed as soon as possible to avoid complications for both mother and child.
Moreover, postpartum occurrences can still happen up to six weeks after birth. Treatment with a doctor is paramount for your safety, but you’ll also want to alleviate the symptoms while you get help. Sunglasses can be a huge help when you go outside and even when you’re affected by bright artificial lights indoors.
Prescription sunglasses are available for moms who need vision correction while protecting their eyes from the harshness of the lights around them. You can go for a known brand like Ray-Ban so you can use your shades for a long time.
It has stylish frames and durable lenses that block UV radiation, which you will want added protection from, as many women experience increased eye sensitivity after birth. This brand also creates many bio-based frames made with castor oil and other renewable sources, which are more sustainable and more forgiving for sensitive skin (another symptom of the hormonal fluctuations occurring from pregnancy.)
Use artificial tears
Dry eyes are one of the most common eye issues new mothers face, stemming from a combination of hormone changes in the body and a lack of sleep. This can be exacerbated further if you spend a lot of time in front of screens and are exposed to poor air quality.
Artificial tears can help, but you will want to use preservative-free options like Systane ULTRA or Bausch + Lomb Soothe. These use a gentler formula that allows the eyes to produce and retain moisture.
Even if you have a more severe case of dry eyes, avoiding preservatives is best to minimize the risk of irritation and complications. You may also want to try hydrating contact lenses if you need corrective lenses.
Designed by Cooper Vision, these alleviate the discomfort by facilitating tear flow in the eyes. While primarily developed to address contact lens-induced dry eye (CLIDE), this can tackle eye issues like ocular pressure and inflammation in postpartum women.
There are also newly developed contact lenses built to self-lubricate, potentially providing long-lasting relief thanks to hyaluronic acid, which helps retain moisture and increase overall comfort.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
