Contact Lenses During Pregnancy

mrs051609 · March 2012

I've had a headache every day for the past 5 days and today has been the worst. I took my contacts out tonight and my eyes feel so dry, they never feel dry. I never leave my contacts in overnight, I wear them for maybe 12 hours a day if that. I was just doing research saying that your eyes can swell and change shapes, and that it isn't recommended to wear contacts. I'm new to this whole pregnancy thing, so I'm hoping someone out there can give me some insight. Thanks

gnomely · March 2012

Some people can wear them throughout pregnancy, some can't. It has to do with your eyes drying out and slight swelling. It's not a big deal. Last pregnancy I switched to glasses early on.

All the sources I checked--Babycenter, American Pregnancy Association--say it's fine to continue wearing them. Maybe just don't sleep with them in, clean them more often and wear your glasses more.

mrs051609 · March 2012

meegie-lee:
Some people can wear them throughout pregnancy, some can't. It has to do with your eyes drying out and slight swelling. It's not a big deal. Last pregnancy I switched to glasses early on.
All the sources I checked--Babycenter, American Pregnancy Association--say it's fine to continue wearing them. Maybe just don't sleep with them in, clean them more often and wear your glasses more.

Thanks. I think I'll go a few days without my contacts to see if that relieves my headaches. My contact supply is up in June I believe, so that is when I would need to go back to the eye doctor. Guess I'll just have to figure it out. My eyes just felt very weird when I took them out tonight.

What made you switch to glasses if you don't mind me asking?

MrsFelts · March 2012

Mine are starting to bother me a little bit too. I just take them out as soon as I get home. I'm thinking of going to the eye doctor and getting a second pair of glasses so that I have a little more variety over the next 8 months since I have a feeling I'll be wearing my glasses more often.

Deltadawn8 · March 2012

Yes that is correct. I normally wear contacts. I was able to wear them with no problems with my first 2 pregnancies. However, with this one my eye shape has changed and I have had to wear my glasses all the time now. I went in and had an eye exam and ordered new glasses because my previous prescription was over 2 yrs old. My eye dr said it is common for your eyes to change the shape and not be able to wear contacts while pregnant because of the hormones and water retention. She also said the should go back to normal after you have the baby. Just add this to the list of one of the many fun 'gifts' of pregnancy.

gnomely · March 2012

mrs051609:
What made you switch to glasses if you don't mind me asking?

Not at all. My eyes were incredibly dry. My contacts literally wouldn't stay in.

mrs051609 · March 2012

meegie-lee:
mrs051609:
What made you switch to glasses if you don't mind me asking?
Not at all. My eyes were incredibly dry. My contacts literally wouldn't stay in.

Thanks for answering! I guess it's back to glasses.

KristenMC2001 · March 2012

If you want to still wear your lenses, try using rewetting drops throughout the day. Blink is a very good one, and I believe either Refresh or Systane have drops for contacts as well. DO NOT use Visine! There's nothing good about that junk!

If there's lasting pain or decreased vision you should see your eye doctor. Usually something like that would be billed to your medical plan instead of your vision plan so no worries using up your exam for the year. Better to be safe than sorry.

HTH...I'm an opthalmic technician, can you tell?

WannaBMommy81 · March 2012

I've never heard that and I wear contacts 16+ hrs a day. I even wore them during delivery. I have heard that your rx can change.

mrs051609 · March 2012

KristenMC2001:
If you want to still wear your lenses, try using rewetting drops throughout the day. Blink is a very good one, and I believe either Refresh or Systane have drops for contacts as well. DO NOT use Visine! There's nothing good about that junk!

If there's lasting pain or decreased vision you should see your eye doctor. Usually something like that would be billed to your medical plan instead of your vision plan so no worries using up your exam for the year. Better to be safe than sorry.

HTH...I'm an opthalmic technician, can you tell?

Thank you!

My eyes didn't feel dry throughout the day, just once I took them out. And within the first 20 minutes, my headache started to go away. So I'm not sure what's going on, I think I'll go without them for a few days to see what happens.

I appreciate your help.

holly321 · March 2012

I am the contact lens specialist at an ophthalmologist office. Many of our pregnant patients do fine with contacts. Some come in and get their rxs adjusted, since your prescription can change during pregnancy. I have really dry eyes already, so I use optive and lastacaft for my allergies. I have been ok with my contacts, but I think I am going to switch to a daily disposable. But I wear my glasses more than I wear my contacts, and switching types is much easier for me to do than I am certain it would be for you.

hmp1 · March 2012

I was able to wear my contacts the entire time with my first pregnancy. Prior to this pregnancy, my Dr put me on Restasis eye drops. There has not been any tests regarding this eye drop for pregnant woman so I decided not to use them during my first tri. I'm wearing glasses and using Systane Ultra drops a few times a day. I hope to be back in my contacts for second tri.

tinyhumantoe · March 2012

This explains everything!!! I have gone through a few lenses and they felt like they had a cut in the edge because they ITCHED! My eyes have been so dry!

I thought it was because I was traveling at high altitudes but now I'm back home and same thing...........

Glasses it is! Does anyone's glasses make their face feel greasy though? My favorite pair do and I feel like I need to shower when I get home from work

DenaRenee78 · March 2012

I have had to wear my glasses a whole lot more. My eyes are dry .. and not just dry they seem to have worse vision too. My eye doc and my OB says its very common during pregnancy for your eye sight to seem worse .. your contacts to fit different and your eyes to be dry. They said after the babies born they will go back to normal. For me .. this seems like forever!

aguilarz143 · March 2012

My prescription for my contacts was due when i was only 3 months. The prescription literally changed from one day to the next. I have gone through a whole box of contacts because they keep tearing....i am now wearing my glasses full time.

cowgirl8122 · March 2012

I had been experiencing very dry eyes and was wearing my glasses almost daily. I went to my eye doctor and she gave me some natural tears drops to use in the morning before I put my contacts in and in the evening before bed. She also said vision has a tendency to change during pregnancy, so I would see your eye doctor and make sure you're not experiencing any big vision changes. My eye doctor gave me some sample daily contacts (put them in first thing in the morning, and throw them away at night) and they've been really comfortable for me. Might be something to consider. Good luck!!

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