Dry Eye During Pregnancy: What You Need To Know 

Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue – all very common symptoms of pregnancy. But did you also know a very common symptom of pregnancy is Dry Eye Disease?[1] If you develop dry eyes during pregnancy, the symptom will likely disappear after birth, but it can be a troublesome problem.[2] So what is Dry Eye Disease, why is it common during pregnancy, what symptoms should you look out for, and how can you treat it? 

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease is an extremely common chronic condition in which your tears aren’t able to provide enough adequate lubrication for your eyes.[3] This then leads to irritation, redness, and itchy sensations. It affects one in four people in the UK.[4]

There are several factors that can cause you to have a higher likelihood of developing Dry Eye Disease, including lifestyle choices like smoking or looking at computer screens for a long period of time. Several common prescriptions have dry eyes as a side effect including diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, and anti-anxiety drugs.[5] However, research does show that women are considerably more likely to develop Dry Eye Disease. 

Why are women more often affected by Dry Eye Disease?

Research has shown that women are often diagnosed at a younger age with the condition, experience more severe symptoms, and are affected at higher rates.[6] It’s thought that changes in female sex hormones throughout the course of their life with fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone cause women to struggle with Dry Eye Disease.[7] 

Dry Eye Disease is incredibly common as a menopausal symptom as well. During this period in life, androgen hormones decrease. This hormone affects the meibomian and lacrimal glands which are essential for producing the essential oils in your tears that allow them to moisten the eyes. When these glands are affected, the tears produced are too few or of an inadequate quality, meaning you can develop Dry Eye Disease as a consequence.[8] 

There’s also a link between cosmetics use (which is more prevalent in women) and Dry Eye Disease, especially for those who do not use a cleanser to remove their cosmetics.[9] 

A woman's hands hold her pregnancy bump in front of a blue sky

What’s the link between Dry Eye Disease and pregnancy?

While there’s no official scientific consensus on why dry eye rates are higher in pregnant women, during pregnancy, hormone levels also fluctuate and change, meaning that these glands can also be affected causing symptoms of Dry Eye Disease to develop.[10] 

Some medical professionals also believe there’s a link between symptoms of dry eye during pregnancy and dehydration. Due to the nausea and vomiting that are common in the first trimester of pregnancy, some women may be too dehydrated to aid the proper lubrication of the eyes.[11]

If you’re struggling with symptoms of dry eye like redness, pain, and feelings of dryness, then it might be due to lack of sleep – something that’s common in pregnancy due to pressure on the bladder.[11]

A woman holds her hand to the side of her head with her eyes closed.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

How do you know if it’s Dry Eye Disease or something else causing your problems? 

Some of the major symptoms of Dry Eye Disease are: 

Itching 
A burning sensation 
Excessive watering 
The feeling of grit or sand in your eyes[12]

When should you seek help?

New symptoms during pregnancy, especially painful ones or ones relating to your vision, can be concerning. If you’re experiencing excessive pain, then you should visit a GP as soon as possible. 

If you’re seeing stars or spots in your vision it could be scotomata, which can indicate preeclampsia or eclampsia. It’s important to get this investigated as these conditions can also cause chronic headaches, swelling, nausea, and trouble breathing.[12] 

If you’re experiencing blurred vision, this is also a symptom that should be treated by your medical practitioner. Blurred vision could be a sign of gestational diabetes which could even lead to permanent vision loss.[12] However, blurred vision does not always indicate diabetes. It can also occur during pregnancy due to retained fluids changing the thickness and shape of your cornea.[13] This should go away after birth or when breastfeeding concludes. 

A woman feeds her newborn baby on the couch with her eyes closed, appearing tired

How do you tackle symptoms of Dry Eye?

There’s a variety of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your quality of sleep, hydration levels, and battle the causes of Dry Eye Disease. Using a humidifier, sleeping with an eye mask, and drinking more water are important changes to make. If wearing contact lenses has become uncomfortable, switch to glasses for the rest of your pregnancy. 

It’s also important to implement an ocular hygiene routine to keep the eyes as clean as possible and prevent symptoms from developing.[14] Naviblef® Daily Care can be used as part of a daily three-step treatment plan to remove any oil, secretions, or debris, helping to keep your eyes as clean and comfortable as possible.

Eyedrops can be used to introduce moisture and replicate tears which are inadequate or lacking with Dry Eye Disease. If your symptoms are severe then Xailin® Intense can also be included in your three-step routine. The preservative-free, phosphate-free, and contact lens-friendly formula is intensely hydrating, helping to soothe irritation and pain. For more long-lasting relief Xailin® Gel is a great option, evenly coating, and lubricating the eye. 

Dry Eye Disease during pregnancy is a common condition, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Keep an eye on your symptoms and if you become concerned, seek medical help. Soothe and relieve irritation and pain with lifestyle changes in combination with products from VISUshop. Explore our range of products now. 

References

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Eye drops and hay fever season – what’s the best choice? 

Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue – all very common symptoms of pregnancy. But did you also know a very common symptom of pregnancy is Dry Eye Disease?[1] If you develop dry eyes during pregnancy, the symptom will likely disappear after birth, but it can be a troublesome problem.[2] So what is Dry Eye Disease, why is it common during pregnancy, what symptoms should you look out for, and how can you treat it? 

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease is an extremely common chronic condition in which your tears aren’t able to provide enough adequate lubrication for your eyes.[3] This then leads to irritation, redness, and itchy sensations. It affects one in four people in the UK.[4]

There are several factors that can cause you to have a higher likelihood of developing Dry Eye Disease, including lifestyle choices like smoking or looking at computer screens for a long period of time. Several common prescriptions have dry eyes as a side effect including diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, and anti-anxiety drugs.[5] However, research does show that women are considerably more likely to develop Dry Eye Disease. 

Why are women more often affected by Dry Eye Disease?

Research has shown that women are often diagnosed at a younger age with the condition, experience more severe symptoms, and are affected at higher rates.[6] It’s thought that changes in female sex hormones throughout the course of their life with fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone cause women to struggle with Dry Eye Disease.[7] 

Dry Eye Disease is incredibly common as a menopausal symptom as well. During this period in life, androgen hormones decrease. This hormone affects the meibomian and lacrimal glands which are essential for producing the essential oils in your tears that allow them to moisten the eyes. When these glands are affected, the tears produced are too few or of an inadequate quality, meaning you can develop Dry Eye Disease as a consequence.[8] 

There’s also a link between cosmetics use (which is more prevalent in women) and Dry Eye Disease, especially for those who do not use a cleanser to remove their cosmetics.[9] 

A woman's hands hold her pregnancy bump in front of a blue sky

What’s the link between Dry Eye Disease and pregnancy?

While there’s no official scientific consensus on why dry eye rates are higher in pregnant women, during pregnancy, hormone levels also fluctuate and change, meaning that these glands can also be affected causing symptoms of Dry Eye Disease to develop.[10] 

Some medical professionals also believe there’s a link between symptoms of dry eye during pregnancy and dehydration. Due to the nausea and vomiting that are common in the first trimester of pregnancy, some women may be too dehydrated to aid the proper lubrication of the eyes.[11]

If you’re struggling with symptoms of dry eye like redness, pain, and feelings of dryness, then it might be due to lack of sleep – something that’s common in pregnancy due to pressure on the bladder.[11]

A woman holds her hand to the side of her head with her eyes closed.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

How do you know if it’s Dry Eye Disease or something else causing your problems? 

Some of the major symptoms of Dry Eye Disease are: 

Itching 
A burning sensation 
Excessive watering 
The feeling of grit or sand in your eyes[12]

When should you seek help?

New symptoms during pregnancy, especially painful ones or ones relating to your vision, can be concerning. If you’re experiencing excessive pain, then you should visit a GP as soon as possible. 

If you’re seeing stars or spots in your vision it could be scotomata, which can indicate preeclampsia or eclampsia. It’s important to get this investigated as these conditions can also cause chronic headaches, swelling, nausea, and trouble breathing.[12] 

If you’re experiencing blurred vision, this is also a symptom that should be treated by your medical practitioner. Blurred vision could be a sign of gestational diabetes which could even lead to permanent vision loss.[12] However, blurred vision does not always indicate diabetes. It can also occur during pregnancy due to retained fluids changing the thickness and shape of your cornea.[13] This should go away after birth or when breastfeeding concludes. 

A woman feeds her newborn baby on the couch with her eyes closed, appearing tired

How do you tackle symptoms of Dry Eye?

There’s a variety of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your quality of sleep, hydration levels, and battle the causes of Dry Eye Disease. Using a humidifier, sleeping with an eye mask, and drinking more water are important changes to make. If wearing contact lenses has become uncomfortable, switch to glasses for the rest of your pregnancy. 

It’s also important to implement an ocular hygiene routine to keep the eyes as clean as possible and prevent symptoms from developing.[14] Naviblef® Daily Care can be used as part of a daily three-step treatment plan to remove any oil, secretions, or debris, helping to keep your eyes as clean and comfortable as possible.

Eyedrops can be used to introduce moisture and replicate tears which are inadequate or lacking with Dry Eye Disease. If your symptoms are severe then Xailin® Intense can also be included in your three-step routine. The preservative-free, phosphate-free, and contact lens-friendly formula is intensely hydrating, helping to soothe irritation and pain. For more long-lasting relief Xailin® Gel is a great option, evenly coating, and lubricating the eye. 

Dry Eye Disease during pregnancy is a common condition, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Keep an eye on your symptoms and if you become concerned, seek medical help. Soothe and relieve irritation and pain with lifestyle changes in combination with products from VISUshop. Explore our range of products now. 

References

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How to Tackle Dry Eye During Menopause

Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue – all very common symptoms of pregnancy. But did you also know a very common symptom of pregnancy is Dry Eye Disease?[1] If you develop dry eyes during pregnancy, the symptom will likely disappear after birth, but it can be a troublesome problem.[2] So what is Dry Eye Disease, why is it common during pregnancy, what symptoms should you look out for, and how can you treat it? 

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease is an extremely common chronic condition in which your tears aren’t able to provide enough adequate lubrication for your eyes.[3] This then leads to irritation, redness, and itchy sensations. It affects one in four people in the UK.[4]

There are several factors that can cause you to have a higher likelihood of developing Dry Eye Disease, including lifestyle choices like smoking or looking at computer screens for a long period of time. Several common prescriptions have dry eyes as a side effect including diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, and anti-anxiety drugs.[5] However, research does show that women are considerably more likely to develop Dry Eye Disease. 

Why are women more often affected by Dry Eye Disease?

Research has shown that women are often diagnosed at a younger age with the condition, experience more severe symptoms, and are affected at higher rates.[6] It’s thought that changes in female sex hormones throughout the course of their life with fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone cause women to struggle with Dry Eye Disease.[7] 

Dry Eye Disease is incredibly common as a menopausal symptom as well. During this period in life, androgen hormones decrease. This hormone affects the meibomian and lacrimal glands which are essential for producing the essential oils in your tears that allow them to moisten the eyes. When these glands are affected, the tears produced are too few or of an inadequate quality, meaning you can develop Dry Eye Disease as a consequence.[8] 

There’s also a link between cosmetics use (which is more prevalent in women) and Dry Eye Disease, especially for those who do not use a cleanser to remove their cosmetics.[9] 

A woman's hands hold her pregnancy bump in front of a blue sky

What’s the link between Dry Eye Disease and pregnancy?

While there’s no official scientific consensus on why dry eye rates are higher in pregnant women, during pregnancy, hormone levels also fluctuate and change, meaning that these glands can also be affected causing symptoms of Dry Eye Disease to develop.[10] 

Some medical professionals also believe there’s a link between symptoms of dry eye during pregnancy and dehydration. Due to the nausea and vomiting that are common in the first trimester of pregnancy, some women may be too dehydrated to aid the proper lubrication of the eyes.[11]

If you’re struggling with symptoms of dry eye like redness, pain, and feelings of dryness, then it might be due to lack of sleep – something that’s common in pregnancy due to pressure on the bladder.[11]

A woman holds her hand to the side of her head with her eyes closed.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

How do you know if it’s Dry Eye Disease or something else causing your problems? 

Some of the major symptoms of Dry Eye Disease are: 

Itching 
A burning sensation 
Excessive watering 
The feeling of grit or sand in your eyes[12]

When should you seek help?

New symptoms during pregnancy, especially painful ones or ones relating to your vision, can be concerning. If you’re experiencing excessive pain, then you should visit a GP as soon as possible. 

If you’re seeing stars or spots in your vision it could be scotomata, which can indicate preeclampsia or eclampsia. It’s important to get this investigated as these conditions can also cause chronic headaches, swelling, nausea, and trouble breathing.[12] 

If you’re experiencing blurred vision, this is also a symptom that should be treated by your medical practitioner. Blurred vision could be a sign of gestational diabetes which could even lead to permanent vision loss.[12] However, blurred vision does not always indicate diabetes. It can also occur during pregnancy due to retained fluids changing the thickness and shape of your cornea.[13] This should go away after birth or when breastfeeding concludes. 

A woman feeds her newborn baby on the couch with her eyes closed, appearing tired

How do you tackle symptoms of Dry Eye?

There’s a variety of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your quality of sleep, hydration levels, and battle the causes of Dry Eye Disease. Using a humidifier, sleeping with an eye mask, and drinking more water are important changes to make. If wearing contact lenses has become uncomfortable, switch to glasses for the rest of your pregnancy. 

It’s also important to implement an ocular hygiene routine to keep the eyes as clean as possible and prevent symptoms from developing.[14] Naviblef® Daily Care can be used as part of a daily three-step treatment plan to remove any oil, secretions, or debris, helping to keep your eyes as clean and comfortable as possible.

Eyedrops can be used to introduce moisture and replicate tears which are inadequate or lacking with Dry Eye Disease. If your symptoms are severe then Xailin® Intense can also be included in your three-step routine. The preservative-free, phosphate-free, and contact lens-friendly formula is intensely hydrating, helping to soothe irritation and pain. For more long-lasting relief Xailin® Gel is a great option, evenly coating, and lubricating the eye. 

Dry Eye Disease during pregnancy is a common condition, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Keep an eye on your symptoms and if you become concerned, seek medical help. Soothe and relieve irritation and pain with lifestyle changes in combination with products from VISUshop. Explore our range of products now. 

References

Back to news