Understanding & Managing Dry Eyes During Pregnancy | Unlocking The Mystery

Introduction

Pregnancy itself is an exciting experience for a child-bearing couple, but on the other hand, it can cause many physical changes in a woman’s body. One such change that deserves more attention is dry eyes during pregnancy. It often causes significant discomfort to expectant mothers, who must know how to handle it carefully. In this article, we will find a way forward for managing dry eyes during early pregnancy by knowing its causes and symptoms, which will help expectant mothers avoid misdiagnosed problems.

What Are Dry Eyes During Pregnancy?

Dry eyes have another name, dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which often occurs when the eye’s surface does not have enough lubrication and moisture. This condition causes discomfort, irritation and sometimes visual disturbances. Hormonal changes affect the eyes, like other body parts, during pregnancy.

Dry Eye Symptoms During Pregnancy

A person may notice the following symptoms of dry eye.

• Eyes start feeling dry, itchy or uncomfortable.
• Feeling the need to blink frequently
• Light sensitivity
• Watery eyes
• Dry mucus or stringy fluid in the corners of the eyes
• Red eyes
• Difficulty putting in or taking out contact lenses in people who wear them.
• Changes in vision
• Eyes feeling tired or swollen
• It feels as if there is something in the eyes.

Causes Of Dry Itchy Eyes During Pregnancy

Researchers still don’t fully understand why pregnant women often experience dry eyes during pregnancy, but several studies tell the same story. For example, a 2019 Trusted Source study of 134 pregnant women in Nigeria found that dry eye was ranked third, with the lowest rate at six weeks postpartum.

It has been proved that women are often more affected than men by dry eyes, especially during their hormonal changes; it could be recognised as the pregnancy period or menopause when they are having any form of birth control.

On the other hand, men have higher levels of hormones called androgens, which include testosterone. These hormones protect them from dry eyes because they help the tear glands to produce tears. Although women also have these sex hormones but at lower levels that are not as detectable as in men.

Androgens are not the only cause of dry eyes during pregnancy; other hormones usually increase. It is generally seen that testosterone levels increase up to 70 per cent when a woman goes with a baby on the way. 

On the other hand, estradiol levels, another hormone women started to get, increased their pregnancy days. Estradiol may be harmful and counteract the protective effects of androgens by suppressing genes that help produce tears. This process is still debatable, as many experience dry eyes during pregnancy.

Additionally, changes in hormones are a big reason for other health conditions that affect the whole lifestyle and become the cause of dry eyes during pregnancy. Visiting an ophthalmologist for an immediate diagnosis is essential when one starts feeling odd symptoms. Here we mention some other possible causes of dry eyes:

• Allergies
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Spending extended periods using a computer or phone screen
• Chronic diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus 
• Antihistamines and non-steroidal medicines

Moreover, some skin conditions, such as eczema or rosacea, can be very damaging during pregnancy and further complicate the hormonal issues that cause dry eyes.

Daily Home Tips For Better Dry Eyes Condition During Pregnancy

Here, we present some home tips for your daily lifestyle that can map you to good health.

• Always drink plenty of water.
• Start using a humidifier to avoid a dry environment.
• Continue applying artificial tears
• Fatty acid supplements, such as omega-3
• Wear sunglasses when going out in the sun.
• Apply a warm massage.
• Do not use fans or heaters near the face.
• Avoid environmental exposures such as dry or windy atmospheres
• Try to blink Regularly; keep recalling in your mind to flash repeatedly, especially when working at a PC desk or running a mobile

One more thing: artificial face lotions and creams could harm the eyes and cause dry eyes. People accustomed to these many products should not refuse to get used to one effect at a time; it is good for the health of their face and body. It can be taken from efficiency to locate the specific brand for you.

Treatments

It is essential to see that if someone is affected by some primary illness, a family physician should apprehend and refer them to a specialist for further treatment. Ophthalmologists should examine the eyes before diagnosing the cause of dry eyes and starting to cure them.

Eye Drops

Doctors often prescribe artificial tears or eye drops first to decrease inflammation.

Tear Plugs

Removable tear plugs into the tear ducts remain in the eyes longer.

Steroids

Steroids can also be effective for good inflammatory treatment. Moreover, a doctor may prescribe steroid creams or eye drops on the eyelids and the eyes.

Moisture Goggles

Wearing moisture goggles at night will be helpful for the lubrication of the eyes. 

Antibiotics

Antibiotics effect is proven, and people get cured of anti-inflammatory properties gradually. However, these treatments are not considered best during pregnancy days.

Surgical Treatment

This is also a treatment that an ophthalmologist can suggest to alleviate the symptoms of severe dry eye conditions. One option is sealing the tear ducts constantly to keep tears in the eyes for a long time. On the other hand, a different procedure is called tarsorrhaphy, which is used to stitch the upper and lower eyelids to contract the eye-opening to lessen dryness. In this process, skin grafts are considered helpful, too.

Conclusion

Although dry eyes during pregnancy days are considered a temporary problem, sometimes it can lead to a high risk of damaging the cornea, and the front side of the eye can be completely abolished. It should always be addressed to avoid and recognise possible complications and risks. Statistics proved that dry eye symptoms, especially during pregnancy, are prevalent, and the cause is the same, namely hormonal changes and fluid preservation.

On the other hand, this condition is entirely uncomfortable; therefore, many strategies are given to manage it carefully. Artificial tears, better eye hygiene, and receiving professional guidance for expectant mothers can make more enjoyable their pregnancy days without adding any silly discomfort such as dry eyes.

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