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We all know that during pregnancy, a woman's body goes through a great deal of change hormonally and physiologically. But did you know her eyes change as well? Below are some of the most common effects pregnancy can have on the eye.
- Corneal changes. In some cases, pregnancy can cause the cornea, the front window of the eye, to change curvature and even swell, leading to shifts in glasses and contact lens prescriptions. In addition, changes in the chemistry of the tear film can lead to dry eyes and contact lens intolerance. It is for these reasons that it is generally not recommended to have new contact lens fittings or new glasses prescription checks until several months postpartum. We want to get the most accurate measurements possible.
- Retinal changes. Many different conditions can affect the retina during pregnancy. If the pregnant woman has diabetes, diabetic eye disease can progress by 50%. In women with preeclampsia, a condition where blood pressure rises significantly, over 40% of women can show changes in the retinal blood vessels, and 25% to 50% complain of changes to their vision.
- Eye Pressure Fluctuation. Intraocular pressure (IOP) usually decreases during pregnancy. The exact mechanism causing this is unknown, but it is usually attributed to an increase of flow of intraocular fluid out of the eye. This is good news for pregnant women with glaucoma or high IOP. In fact, the drop in IOP is larger when you start with a high IOP compared
Have you ever wondered what happens to the visual system as we age? What does the term "second sight" mean? What is presbyopia? What can be done to prevent aging factors of the eye?
What happens in Presbyopia?
A common aspect of the aging process is losing the reading vision you had all your life. This is called Presbyopia. Presbyopia is a Latin term which means "old eyes."
Before our mid-forties, the natural lens of the eye is very pliable and can easily focus on items up close. But in our mid-forties, the lens tends to lose its elasticity. When experiencing presbyopia, people generally hold reading material farther away to see it more clearly. Presbyopia can be managed through bifocal or multifocal glasses or contact lenses, and some surgeries.
What is "second sight"?
There is a phenomenon that often occurs during the 6th to 7th decade of life called "second sight." Close to 50% of the population over 60 years old has cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that can impair vision, causing glare and loss of detail. But...they can cause temporary improvement in near vision as the cataract alters the lens of the eye. When patients experience second sight, it sometimes feels quite convenient for them--they see up close without the reading glasses they have depended on since their 40s. However, it is a sign that your natural eye lens is hardening and deteriorating.
To help prevent and manage these conditions,
