[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Ophthalmology](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/) › [The eye in systemic disease](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/areas/systemic/) › The eye in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

# The eye in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

- Eye and systemic disease

Pregnancy changes the cornea and refraction a little. Visual disturbance in pre-eclampsia is a severe feature and needs urgent assessment.

Updated Nov 5, 2026

**See it in 3D:** [Retina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/) · [Cornea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cornea/) · [Visual cortex](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuneus/)

## Key points

- Visual symptoms in pre-eclampsia = severe feature.
- Serous detachment in pre-eclampsia resolves after delivery.
- Diabetic retinopathy can worsen in pregnancy.
- Defer new glasses and refractive surgery.

## What it is

Pregnancy causes small physiological changes in the eye: the cornea thickens slightly, contact lenses may be less comfortable, refraction can shift and eye pressure falls. More importantly, some diseases appear or worsen. Pre-eclampsia can cause blurred vision, scotomas, serous retinal detachment and cortical blindness. Diabetic retinopathy can progress during pregnancy, and some neuro-ophthalmic conditions (idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pituitary disease) can present.

## Eye findings

- Pre-eclampsia: blurred vision, flashing lights and scotomas are severe features.
- Hypertensive retinopathy and serous retinal detachment in pre-eclampsia usually resolve after delivery.
- Cortical blindness from posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.
- Diabetic retinopathy can progress during pregnancy.

## Screening and follow-up

- Refraction changes in pregnancy are usually temporary: new glasses and refractive surgery are best deferred until after breastfeeding.
- Women with pre-existing diabetes should have a retinal exam before conception or early in pregnancy, and follow-up during it.
- Sudden headache with visual loss and pituitary signs around delivery suggests pituitary apoplexy or postpartum pituitary necrosis.

## Next step / Initial management

- Visual symptoms in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks: measure blood pressure and proteinuria and manage as possible severe pre-eclampsia in obstetrics.
- Visual loss with seizures or confusion: emergency (eclampsia, PRES); brain imaging.
- Diabetes before pregnancy: retinal exam in the first trimester and follow-up according to findings.
- Glaucoma drugs and other eye drops during pregnancy: review with ophthalmology.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What do new visual symptoms mean in a woman with pre-eclampsia?

A severe feature of pre-eclampsia, needing urgent obstetric assessment and blood pressure control.

## What happens to serous retinal detachment of pre-eclampsia after delivery?

It usually resolves without treatment.

## Why are new glasses deferred during pregnancy?

Because refraction shifts in pregnancy are often temporary.

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## Connections

## See it in 3D 3

The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found.

- [Retina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/)
- [Cornea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cornea/)
- [Visual cortex](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuneus/)

## Related 4

- [Hypertension and the eye](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/hypertension-and-the-eye/)
- [Diabetes and the eye: screening and grading](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/diabetes-and-the-eye-screening-and-grading/)
- [Retinal detachment: how fast to refer](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/retinal-detachment-how-fast-to-refer/)
- [Localising a visual field defect](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/localising-a-visual-field-defect/)

## Related conditions 5

- [Gestational diabetes mellitus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/gestational-diabetes-mellitus/)
- [Diabetic retinopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/)
- [Hypertensive retinopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hypertensive-retinopathy/)
- [Idiopathic intracranial hypertension](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/idiopathic-intracranial-hypertension/)
- [Pituitary adenoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pituitary-adenoma/)

[← All of ophthalmology](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/)

Educational content; not a clinical guideline and no substitute for assessment by a health professional. For sudden visual loss, severe eye pain, a chemical burn or an eye injury, go to an emergency department at once.

Sources: [Ocular Manifestations of Preeclampsia](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576389/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024); [Preeclampsia](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570611/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024); [Guía de práctica clínica: complicaciones del embarazo, parto o puerperio](https://gpc.minsalud.gov.co/gpc_sites/Repositorio/Conv_500/GPC_embarazo/gpc_embarazo.aspx) (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social de Colombia, 2013).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/the-eye-in-pregnancy-and-pre-eclampsia/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/the-eye-in-pregnancy-and-pre-eclampsia/