Pregnancy: how does it affect eyesight?

There is a relationship between the pregnancy and the view? Several clinical trials have now revealed a close relationship.

The woman during the nine months of gestation is subject to numerous physiological changes affecting different parts of the bodyincluding the eyes.

Ocular structures that may be altered during pregnancy include:

-the eyelid;

-the conjunctiva;

-the cornea;

-the crystalline lens;

-the retina;

-the optic nerve.

In general, these are transient changes that resolve spontaneously after the digestion period. The cornea, for instance, undergoes changes in both thickness and curvature. These changes may in some cases cause a condition called keratoconus (thinning of the cornea) or result in a decrease in intraocular pressure o attations of vision.

Moreover, during pregnancy, the water retention increases significantly, a condition that in predisposed individuals could lead to accumulation of fluid within the ocular cavity (corneal oedema), an increased risk of cataract occurrence and also poor contact lens tolerance.

The high levels of the hormone progesterone and the simultaneous drop in the production levels of androgenic hormones (testosterone, andostenedione) that occur during the gestation period may be responsible for the onset of certain disorders and alterations of the tear film, including the dry eye syndrome. Indeed, androgen hormones regulate and modulate the composition, as well as the stability, of the fluidolacrimal fluid. Dry eye is, in fact, one of the dmost frequent eye disorders in women, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy.

In addition to dry eye, dry eye syndrome can lead to disorders including:

-greater sensitivity to light (photophobia);

-fatigue during make-up application in the eye area;

-pain, pain, burning and reddening of the eye;

-difficulty opening the eyelids after night hours.

Symptomatology resulting from reduced tear production can be alleviated with theuse of eye drops or artificial tears which help to lubricate, moisten and rehydrate the eye. If, on the other hand, discomfort does not resolve itself with the simple use of these products, a visit to the ophthalmologist is recommended, especially during pregnancy when any pharmacological treatment is absolutely not recommended without prior medical consultation.

Source

Ocular changes during pregnancy. Naderan M. Journal of Current Ophthalmology, 1-9 (2017)

Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile