Pregnancy is one of the most exciting periods in a woman's life. The experience comes with different changes in their body, including dry eyes. While many people associate dry eyes with aging, pregnancy can also have a significant impact on your tear production and moisture levels (trust me; it's not all sunshine and rainbows).
Dry eye syndrome is defined as a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication or moisture on the surface of the eyeball that causes discomfort, irritation, and even visual disturbances. In pregnant women, this condition can occur due to hormonal changes, medications taken for health reasons (don't worry though; we will get into details later), dietary deficiencies or dehydration.
Understanding Dryness during Early Pregnancy
The onset of dry eyes during pregnancy varies from person to person but usually begins during the first trimester – about weeks 9-14. This happens because pregnancy alters your hormone levels significantly while increasing blood flow rates through your body systems.
Alteration in Hormones
During early pregnancy, there's an increased level of Estrogen Hormone-producing glands at work. Estrogens play an essential role in maintaining tear film stability by increasing goblet cell proliferation (goblet cells are responsible for controlling mucus-layer secretion), which leads ultimately to tear film volume increase(wasn't biology fun?) However (brace yourself for some medical jargon here) progesterone provides opposite effects by reducing aqueous layer glandular function leading indirectly to decreased Tear Film Quality thus substantial alteration takes place.. This tug-of-war between progesterone and estrogen creates a confusion within our bodies concerning balance leading dry eye symptoms becoming more prevalent during initial stages thus pointing out indirectly you might be carrying ..
Medications Taken During Pregnancy
It's quite common for pregnant women to require taking certain drugs or vitamins such as antidepressants (the struggles of keeping sane), birth control pills or Vitamin A. Unfortunately, some of these medications can cause eye dryness as a side effect (yes your body decides; why should we have all the fun?)
Causes of Dry Eyes during Early Pregnancy
Dry eyes are caused by various factors, and pregnancy is just one such example (lucky us ladies!). Below are some reasons behind that chronic irritation,
Hormones – The Key Culprit
As discussed earlier our hormones shuttle to places unknown leading a chemical riot and creating drastic changes inside our bodies. A hormonal imbalance results in decreased production quality tear film leading inflammation in eyelids (Inflammation! Inflammation everywhere!), causing redness itching or stinging sensations
Nutritional Deficiencies
An inadequate intake of essential vitamins like Vitamins D or Omega 3 acids contributes significantly to persisting Dry Eye symptoms.
Some dietary supplements that may help avoid the problem include Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) obtained from flaxseed oil capsules/fish oil capsules/fatty fish), Vitamins C,E & B6 (eat healthy my friends and bonus marks if you're already on top of it)
Environmental Factors
The weather can also contribute directly/ indirectly to dry eyes due to humidity levels acting upon unstable Tear Film layers thus intensive exposure against Sun's harmful UV radiation (Punishment for stepping out under the sun maybe?)
Prevalent situation includes –
- Air Conditioning Units
- High Altitude Areas
- Heaters
- Large Cities / Urban Living Conditions
Taking care of environmental conditions can limit adverse effects:
- Wear sunglasses for better UV protection outdoors;
- Use air humidifiers within living areas;
- Rub Gentle circular strokes on eyelids mostly before bedtime works wonders.
Medications Taken During Pregnancy
Antidepressants, Decongestants, cough suppressors (shall i talk about self medication again?). These can lead to dry eyes leading inflammation that correlates with itching and irritable sensations
Self-Care Practices
Yes, you read it right. Most times, practicing the wrong care leads further deterioration of our symptoms to unbearable proportions.
Hence kindly refrain from practices such as:
- Rubbing Eyes Vigorously
- Using Harsh Chemicals around Face or Eye areas
- Wearing Contact Lenses/ Glasses for extended periods (Sacrificing gorgeous looks seems worth it now doesn't it?)
Effects on the Fetus & Pregnant Mom
Dry eyes may not seem like a severe problem at first glance, but they can have numerous negative effects (yes; Always Negative). When left untreated, chronic irritation may even affect sight perception causing long-term visual anxiety.
Additionally, dry eye syndrome during pregnancy poses added risk due to excessive rubbing which could result in pressure trauma damaging delicate fetal organs during their initial growth phase.
Treatments For Dry Eyes During Early Pregnancy
If all this reading has left your eyes dryer than a desert path after sandstorm (pun intended), fret not! There are different treatments available depending on severity hence consulting an obstetrician is imperative before opting for any treatment method discussed below -
Lubricating Drops
When certain glands present within Tear Duct are working overtime churning out increased secretions supplemented by secretion response of surrounding cells known as reflex tears resulting in adequate lubrication only reducing inflammation thus diluting salt content!
Punctual Occlusion
A temporary or semi-permanent intervention taken up when above methods fail to optimize tear film stability i.e Plugging Lower ducts preventing drainage taking help of silicone plugs providing adequate lubrication without disturbing natural physiology,
Medical Treatment Options
Medications like Cyclosporine Ophthalmic emulsion comprising treating mild-to-moderate seen clinically ((call me doctor now)
Eye Filters
(spice things up a notch shall we) Blue Light blocking eye filters to filter out harmful radiations while working on digital mediums as well.
When To Contact The Doctor?
While Dry eyes visited the wondrous land of pregnancy might pass off without any effect, It's always better to keep monitoring symptoms during pregnancies progressing stages. Call for medical advice when encountering abnormal developments like:
- Frequent crying
- Blurred vision
- Inflamed/ Red eyelids or eyeballs
- Sustained feeling of poor-quality tears (Our mothers are keeping calm just reading the article by now)
Remember, an Obstetrician is about whom you will potter around our Planet Earth with that shiny little human inside! Hence never hesitate in contacting them at least (what were we saying about "panic"? Play it safe guys).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding Early Pregnancy Dryness
Q1): Is dry eyes syndrome a common occurrence in most pregnant women?
A: While many folks do suffer from this symptom during pregnancy, some others may not encounter dry or itchy eyes entirely (lucky devils!)
Q2): Can filtering blue light using eyeglasses help reduce risk factors present against dry eye irritation?
A: As protection measures directed towards long term usage digitally on computers can offer relief decreasing risks among such professionals significantly.
Bottom Line
Dry Eyes and early pregnancy – two conditions that seem completely unrelated jam-packed together here. However, trust me they're more related than your ex-partner(s)! Pregnancies are overwhelming but staying beautiful/handsome comes at a price although there are remedies available for reducing occurring symptoms, contacting your respective obstetrician at earlier stage manages smoother pregnancies preventing unexpected situations/tension and maintaining optimal maternal fetal health management through these crucial months.