Updated January 01, 2014.

Question: Pregnancy and Dry Eyes

I'm pregnant and my eyes are very dry. How can I safely find relief for my dry eyes during pregnancy?

Answer:

Many women experience dry eyes during pregnancy. Your eyes may become dry while you are pregnant because of hormonal changes. Changes in hormones can affect tear production, sometimes leading to irritation and discomfort. Some women find wearing contact lenses too difficult during pregnacy due to a lack of tear flow.


Ask your eye doctor about ways to lessen your discomfort from dry eyes. Artificial tears may help, but ask your doctor which ones are safe to use during pregnancy. If you wear contact lenses, you may try wearing them for shorter lengths of time, or switch to glasses for the time being. Cleaning your contacts more often may also help.

If you work at a computer, taking frequent breaks can also help with dry eyes. Staring at a computer screen may cause you not blink as often as usual, causing dryness and irritation.