You may find that your eyes are drier and more irritated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It can also bring about changes in existing eye conditions – for better or for worse.
If you have diabetes, see an ophthalmologist before you get pregnant and again in early pregnancy to get screened for damage to the blood vessels in your retina. This condition, called diabetic retinopathy, often worsens during pregnancy, so you'll need more frequent eye exams while you're pregnant and in the postpartum period. Glaucoma, on the other hand, sometimes improves during pregnancy, so your medication may need to be adjusted.
Date Published: 28 August 2014
