It is common knowledge that pregnancy has important effects on the woman's body: we know that, during pregnancy, the feet, ankles and hands swell; that hair and nails grow faster or that gums are more prone to bleed. Regarding our eyes How does pregnancy affect its normal functioning?
Ophthalmological advice to consider during the gestation and lactation period
Many of the changes that a woman undergoes during pregnancy are related to the increase in estrogen. The eyes tampoco escape this phenomenon, since part of its structure is associated with the presence of estrogen receptors.
The eyes may undergo different modifications during pregnancy such as variations in the Intraocular pressure usual, the decrease in tear production, alterations in other ocular structures, such as the crystalline and cornea, and changes in sight graduation.
Increased graduation during pregnancy
One of the most frequent ocular effects during pregnancy is the increase of the graduation and the experimentation of blurred vision, which can occur for various reasons.
Occasionally, it can be generated by typical pregnancy factors unrelated to the eyes, such as fluid retention. With the retention of liquids, the cornea can edematizarse, that is to say, to accumulate liquid, doing to vary the curvature of the cornea, fact that can entail transitory changes in the habitual graduation. In such cases, changes usually resolve on their own after childbirth or after breastfeeding, so they do not require specific treatment.
However, blurred vision in pregnant women can also be a manifestation of some systemic disease, such as preclampsia (hypertension during pregnancy) or gestational diabetes (form of diabetes induced by pregnancy), which do require specific treatments.
That is why, before the symptom of blurred vision, it is advisable to go to the doctor and the ophthalmologist to rule out more serious disorders such as those previously mentioned. Given the changes of graduation that pregnancy can cause, Área Oftalmológica Avanzada (AOA) advises not to perform refractive surgery (To be, phakic lenses, intraocular, among others) during pregnancy and lactation period. There is no contraindication to perform them previously.
Dry eye during pregnancy
Likewise, during pregnancy, expectant mothers may suffer a drop in tear production, which is very necessary for the correct lubrication of the eye. In this situation, you can experience the symptoms of the call dry eye syndrome: stinging, itching, gritty sensation in the eye and intolerance to contact lenses.
Given these symptoms, Área Oftalmológica Avanzada He also advises visiting the ophthalmologist to stop feeling these discomforts. In fact, AOA is the only state center with a specialized unit for treat dry eye, underdiagnosed disorder but highly present among the population (3 of each 10 people suffer).
El Dry Eye can be treated by minimally invasive treatments such as the use of the IPL laser on the lower and lateral parts of the eye, a cleaning of Eyelids and an eye scrub. Or, adapting the patient's nutrition to their needs, with the help of a nutritionist; or by referring it to a dermatologist or any other suitable specialist.
About Área Oftalmológica Avanzada
With more than 30 years working in the care and treatment of ophthalmology, AOA is a benchmark in the ophthalmology sector and, currently, is positioned as a specialist in Dry Eye syndrome, thanks to the new comprehensive treatment it proposes to alleviate its effects . The clinic also offers cataract treatment, presbyopia, glaucoma, makes corneal transplants y visual therapy, and offers the best specialized care for high-level athletes and nutritional consultations related to eye health.
