Wearing Contacts While Pregnant? The Safety Guide You Need Right Now

Many pregnant women ask if they can wear contacts during pregnancy. This question makes sense because hormonal changes start to affect their health and vision. Your body goes through major hormonal changes that can alter your eyesight, particularly in the later months of pregnancy.

About five to eight percent of pregnant women might develop preeclampsia or eclampsia. These conditions raise blood pressure and can change vision. The good news is that most vision changes are minor and don't last long. Your eyesight usually returns to normal after you give birth. Women often notice their vision becomes blurry, their eyes feel dry, or their contact lenses don't feel right anymore. You might worry about eye sensitivity or want to know if colored contacts are safe during pregnancy. This piece will help you understand everything about keeping your eyes healthy while you're expecting.

What changes in your eyes during pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can affect your eyes by a lot and create changes that may affect your comfort and vision. Learning about these changes helps you manage your eye health and contact lens wear during pregnancy.

Dryness and discomfort

Your tear film's physiology changes due to pregnancy hormones, which often leads to dry eye syndrome. Pregnancy affects both how many tears your eyes make and their quality. Many women then notice their eyes become red, sore, itchy, with burning or stinging sensations.

Dry eye symptoms commonly include:

• Sticky eyelids when waking up
• Watery eyes (ironically, a response to dryness)
• A gritty feeling that gets worse through the day
• Problems wearing contact lenses

About 15% of women notice vision changes during pregnancy. Dry eyes become more obvious around mid-pregnancy as hormone levels reach their peak. Your tears may become less concentrated in your third trimester compared to earlier stages.

Contact lens wearers might find their lenses become more uncomfortable as pregnancy moves forward. This happens because of changes in tear production and corneal shape.

Blurry or changing vision

The fluid that makes your hands and feet swell can affect your eyes too. This extra fluid changes your cornea's thickness and curve, which changes how light passes through your eyes.

Studies show a measurable increase in corneal thickness from pregnancy-related swelling. Research found a clear increase in corneal curve during the second and third trimesters. These changes can alter your refractive index and cause blurry or unstable vision.

Your eyesight usually returns to normal within weeks after delivery or after you stop breastfeeding. Eye care professionals usually suggest waiting to get new glasses or contact lens prescriptions during pregnancy.

Sensitivity to light

Many expectant mothers become more sensitive to light among other eye changes. This light sensitivity can make bright sunlight and fluorescent lighting in stores or offices especially uncomfortable.

Hormonal changes cause light sensitivity just like they affect other parts of your eye health. Pregnancy can also trigger migraines in some women, which often come with increased light sensitivity.

Contact lens wearers might feel even more discomfort from this sensitivity on top of dry eyes. Wearing sunglasses outdoors and cutting down screen time can help if you're dealing with light sensitivity.

Keep in mind that these eye changes rarely point to serious problems. You should still tell your healthcare provider about any sudden or severe vision changes, as they might signal pregnancy complications like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.

Can I wear contact lenses while pregnant?

Many pregnant women ask about keeping up with their daily routines, especially wearing contact lenses. Here's the good news: contact lenses are safe to wear throughout pregnancy as long as you keep up with proper care.

General safety of contacts during pregnancy

Contact lenses remain a safe choice for vision correction during pregnancy. Yes, it is worth noting that women make up two-thirds of contact lens wearers, so this question comes up often. Your body changes in many ways during pregnancy, but most changes won't affect your ability to wear contacts safely.

Hormone changes can affect how comfortable your lenses feel. Some women find their contacts less comfortable during pregnancy. We noticed this happens because of changes in tear production and corneal shape. You might need to adjust your wearing habits rather than give up contacts completely.

Women with existing eye conditions need extra care. Those with herpes simplex viral infection (HSV) of the eye might see a slight increase in outbreaks while wearing contacts. Getting advice from an eye care professional is a vital step in these cases.

Can you wear colored contacts while pregnant?

The short answer is yes - colored contacts are just as safe as regular ones during pregnancy. The same rules apply whether you wear them to change your eye color or correct your vision.

Your lens care routine should include:

• Clean hands before touching lenses
• Fresh solution every time
• Following cleaning steps carefully
• Taking out contacts before sleep

Pregnancy can make your eyes more prone to infections, so colored contacts need careful cleaning. Switch to glasses for a while if your eyes feel irritated with colored lenses.

Are contacts safe during pregnancy?

The lenses themselves stay safe, but your eyes might react differently to them. The biggest problem isn't the contacts - it's how pregnancy affects your eye health and comfort.

Diabetic women need special care during pregnancy. Women who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes should know about possible diabetic retinopathy risks. Eye exams with dilation should happen before pregnancy or in the first three months, then continue each trimester and for a year after giving birth.

To stay comfortable and safe, try these practical tips:

Daily disposable lenses might work better for you since they don't need cleaning and give you a fresh pair each day. This helps especially when your eyes feel dry or sensitive.

Eye drops that are safe during pregnancy can help with dry eyes while wearing contacts. Your eye doctor can suggest the right ones for you.

Pay attention to what your body tells you. Take breaks from contacts or wear them less if your eyes feel uncomfortable. Just because your eyes don't like contacts now doesn't mean it's forever - many women go back to wearing them comfortably after having their baby.

Most vision changes during pregnancy don't last, so wait until after giving birth to get new prescriptions. You can usually keep wearing your old contacts throughout pregnancy, but you might need temporary adjustments if your vision changes significantly.

When to stop wearing contacts

Contact lenses are generally safe during pregnancy, but you might need to switch to glasses temporarily in some cases. Your pregnancy can make contacts less comfortable as you progress, especially in the third trimester. You'll want to watch for warning signs to keep your eyes healthy during this special time.

Signs your lenses no longer fit well

Your contact lenses might start fitting differently as your pregnancy moves along. This often happens because hormones affect your cornea. Here's how to tell if your lenses aren't fitting right anymore:

• The lenses feel tighter on your eyes
• Your contacts get dry more often during the day
• You can't see clearly with your lenses in
• You feel discomfort that wasn't there before pregnancy

These changes happen because pregnancy hormones make your cornea retain water and change shape. This swelling can make your lenses too tight and dry. Your eyes might also produce fewer tears during pregnancy, which adds to the discomfort.

Symptoms that require switching to glasses

Your body will let you know when it's time to take a break from contacts. Look out for:

• Persistent redness or irritation that stays even after taking out your lenses
• Increased eye strain or headaches with contacts
• Difficulty seeing clearly with your current prescription
• Excessive dryness that makes wearing lenses unbearable

These symptoms mean it's time to switch to glasses for a while. The good news is that these changes aren't permanent—most women's contact lens comfort goes back to normal after delivery, once fluid retention improves.

You could try wearing your contacts for shorter periods instead of giving them up completely. Another option is to ask your eye doctor about daily disposable lenses, which work better for dry eyes.

Can you wear eye contacts while pregnant if you have complications?

Pregnancy complications or existing conditions mean you'll need to be extra careful with contact lenses. Here's what to watch for:

• Preeclampsia concerns: Vision changes might signal preeclampsia, which affects 5-8% of pregnancies. Call your doctor right away if you notice temporary vision loss, light sensitivity, blurry vision, auras, or flashing lights. Your contact lenses should be the least of your worries in this case.

• Diabetes management: Both regular diabetes and gestational diabetes need close monitoring. High blood sugar can harm your retina's blood vessels. Regular eye exams are a must throughout pregnancy if you have diabetes.

• Severe dry eye: Extreme dry eye during pregnancy might increase your risk of infection or corneal damage if you keep wearing contacts.

Eye specialists usually suggest waiting to update prescriptions if you're only having minor vision changes. "If the changes are mild, it may be best to hold off on updating your prescription until after childbirth, as your vision will likely stabilize in the months following pregnancy".

Most pregnant women can safely wear contacts throughout pregnancy if they keep good hygiene and pay attention to their body's signals. All the same, it's smart to have updated prescription glasses ready when your eyes need a contact lens break.

How to care for your eyes and lenses

Taking care of your contact lenses is a vital part of pregnancy since hormone changes can make your eyes more prone to infections. You'll wear your contacts more comfortably during these nine months if you take good care of both your eyes and lenses.

Hygiene tips to avoid infections

Your best defense against eye infections starts with spotless hygiene. Pregnant women might catch eye infections more easily because of changes in their immune system. Here are the basics you need to follow:

• Clean your hands with soap and water before touching lenses
• Keep your contacts away from all water, including showers and pools
• Don't sleep with contacts unless your eye doctor says it's okay
• Stay away from eye makeup if infections or sensitivity bother you
• Keep your glasses and sunglasses clean to stop bacteria from spreading

Your lens disinfection routine matters more now than ever. Never top off old solution in your case – throw it out and use fresh solution each day.

Choosing the right type of lenses

Daily disposables make the best choice during pregnancy. These lenses come sterile and you use a fresh pair each day, which eliminates cleaning worries. Eye care professionals often suggest switching to dailies from bi-weekly or monthly lenses because they're easier on your pregnancy-sensitive eyes.

Your eyes feel uncomfortable? Try cutting back on how long you wear them each day. You might feel better if you switch between contacts and glasses throughout the day instead of giving up lenses completely.

Using lubricating drops safely

Eye drops without preservatives work great during pregnancy and help reduce discomfort. These drops feel better on sensitive eyes than ones with preservatives, which might make dryness worse. Good hydration from drinking plenty of water plus these drops helps keep your tears healthy.

Let your eye doctor guide you to pregnancy-safe drops that match your lens type. Different lens materials need specific lubricant ingredients.

Following your replacement schedule

Stick to your lens replacement timeline - pregnancy isn't the time to push your contacts past their prime. A new lens case every three months helps keep harmful organisms away.

Hydrogen peroxide solutions do a great job killing bacteria - just remember to soak them for the right amount of time, usually 4-6 hours. Red eyes, pain, or discharge? Take those contacts out right away and call your eye doctor.

Postpartum vision and long-term care

Your body starts returning to its pre-pregnancy state after nine months of pregnancy and delivery. This includes your vision too. Many new moms want to know when they can wear contact lenses again and what changes they should expect in their eyesight.

Will your vision return to normal?

Most pregnancy-related vision changes go away on their own within weeks after delivery. Your distance and near visual acuity usually returns to pre-pregnancy levels. Research shows no major difference between early pregnancy and postpartum period.

Some women might need more time. Their vision could take up to nine months to fully stabilize as hormone levels return to normal. Rarely, certain vision changes might become permanent. These cases need ongoing management with updated prescriptions.

The good news? Most women get their normal visual acuity back after childbirth. Research suggests your eyes will likely return to the same refractive state you had during your first trimester.

When to get a new prescription

Eye doctors suggest waiting six to nine months after delivery before changing your prescription. This wait time will give your eyes enough time to adjust fully after pregnancy-related changes.

Your pre-pregnancy contacts or glasses should work fine during this transition period. Most eye doctors recommend waiting at least 8 weeks after giving birth before getting new contact lenses or updating glasses.

Breastfeeding moms should wait until after their first period following the end of nursing. Hormone changes can still affect vision during this time.

Importance of postpartum eye exams

You should schedule an eye exam two to eight weeks after childbirth. This timing lets your body recover while catching any possible issues early.

Postpartum eye exams are vital because:

• They can spot conditions that might worsen without obvious symptoms
• Your immune system changes a lot after birth, which might trigger or worsen autoimmune eye diseases
• Women with diabetes need close monitoring since pregnancy can increase risks of diabetic retinopathy

Many women don't get postpartum eye exams as part of their maternal care. Missing this checkup could lead to late diagnosis and vision changes that might become permanent.

Conclusion

Your body goes through countless changes during pregnancy, and your eyes don't escape these changes. Most expectant mothers can safely wear contact lenses, but you might need adjustments as your pregnancy moves forward. The third trimester often brings challenges like dry eyes, changing vision, and increased sensitivity that can make contacts less comfortable.

Many pregnant women find daily disposable lenses to be their best option. These lenses eliminate cleaning worries and give you a fresh pair each day. Preservative-free lubricating drops can help reduce discomfort by a lot. Proper hygiene becomes even more vital during pregnancy.

Pay attention to what your body tells you throughout your pregnancy. You don't have to give up contacts forever if you experience temporary lens intolerance. Your vision should return to normal within a few weeks after giving birth, though full stabilization could take several months. That's why eye doctors suggest waiting 6-9 months after delivery before getting a new prescription.

Make sure to get your eyes checked within two to eight weeks after delivery. This checkup helps catch any remaining problems that need attention. Your eye health needs the same care and attention as the rest of your body during this amazing time of bringing new life into the world.

Contact lens wear during pregnancy comes with its own set of challenges. But with the right care and attention, you can keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear throughout this special time. Now you can make smart choices about your eye care before, during, and after pregnancy.