Yes, pregnancy can even impact your eyeballs (Picture: Getty) Pregnancy can undoubtedly facilitate some absolutely wild changes in the human body. But there’s one little-known symptom that could impact your eyeballs – yes, you read that correctly. Taking to X to share her experiences, Madeline Odent (@oldenoughtosay) wrote: ‘Oh cool I’ve reached the stage of pregnancy where there’s so much extra blood in my body that my eyeballs have changed shape and now my contacts don’t fit.’ Madeline isn’t the only one to have experienced this wacky pregnancy symptom – it’s also been the subject of various Reddit threads, and studies show that vision changes typically occur in 15% of pregnancies. ‘I have recently been experiencing vision issues, but ONLY when I wear my contact lenses. They are uncomfortable and will blur on me; I’ve never had this issue before,’ @missjlynee previously posted in the BabyBumps thread. ‘When I wear my glasses, everything is fine, but the contacts are driving me NUTS.’ Meanwhile, @Key_Clue_7428 added: ‘I’ve noticed my vision progressively getting worse since becoming pregnant. I am now at a point that, even with my glasses on, stuff further away is starting to become pretty blurry again.’ So, what on earth is this strange pregnancy symptom about? Metro.co.uk chatted to the experts to understand why it happens, and what pregnant people should do if they experience it. Why might pregnancy impact the shape of your eyeballs? As GP and BMS menopause specialist, Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp tells Metro.co.uk, it’s a thing – but it’s usually temporary and is ‘related to changes in the body’s fluid balance and hormonal fluctuations.’ ‘During pregnancy, increased blood flow and hormonal changes can cause fluid retention in various parts of the body, including the eyes,’ Dr Deepali explains. Yes, pregnancy can even impact your vision (Picture: Getty Images) ‘This can slightly alter the shape and curvature of the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. The cornea [the clear front surface of the eye] might become thicker or more curved, leading to changes in vision.’ Naturally, this might mean that your contact lenses don’t fit as comfortably as they usually would – and since they’re ‘designed to fit a specific corneal shape,’ even ‘minor changes’ can have an impact. What should pregnant people do if they experience changes in eyesight? As Suzanne Wylie, GP and Medical Advisor for IQ Doctor tells Metro.co.uk, if you do notice any changes in your eyesight during pregnancy, it’s important to report them to your GP. ‘While many changes are temporary and will resolve postpartum, some may require adjustments in your eye care routine,’ Suzanne advises. ‘If you experience discomfort with your contact lenses, you might consider switching to glasses during pregnancy. If this isn’t ideal, consult with your optometrist, who may be able to adjust the fit or prescribe different lenses to accommodate the changes in your eyes.’ Elsewhere, she emphasises the importance of staying hydrated, noting that drinking enough water can help ‘manage fluid retention and may alleviate some of the eye-related symptoms.’ If you’re pregnant, it’s important to get your eyes tested regularly (Picture: Getty Images) It’s also advisable to have your eyes checked regularly – as if you undergo any significant vision changes, your prescription might need to be temporarily adjusted. ‘While the changes in eye shape and vision are usually mild, any sudden or severe changes in vision during pregnancy should be promptly evaluated, as they could indicate more serious conditions, such as preeclampsia,’ Suzanne adds. After birth though, hormones do ‘tend to settle’ – so, essentially, it should be business as usual. ‘Your eyes should return to their pre-pregnancy state,’ Suzanne concludes. ‘It’s advisable to have a comprehensive eye exam after pregnancy to ensure everything has returned to normal.’ Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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