Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, most often to the liver and kidneys. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. The condition can manifest through various symptoms, including noticeable changes in vision, which signal that it may be progressing and requires immediate medical attention.
Vision Changes Associated with Preeclampsia
Visual symptoms affect a significant portion of women with severe preeclampsia, with some studies suggesting up to 25% of patients are impacted. The most frequent visual complaint is blurred vision, and some individuals experience double vision, known as diplopia. These symptoms can arise suddenly and may affect one or both eyes.
Other common disturbances include the perception of flashing lights, shimmering auras, or dark spots in the field of vision. These phenomena, sometimes called scotomas, can be unsettling. Another symptom is an increased sensitivity to light, or photophobia. In more advanced cases, a temporary loss of vision can occur. Any of these changes warrants immediate communication with a healthcare provider.
How Preeclampsia Affects the Eyes
The visual disturbances linked to preeclampsia are a direct result of how severe high blood pressure impacts the body’s vascular and nervous systems. The blood vessels that supply the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, can undergo intense spasms. This process, known as retinal vasospasm, constricts the vessels and reduces blood flow, which can lead to the reported visual symptoms.
The high pressure can also cause fluid to leak from small blood vessels, leading to swelling in the eye and brain. When fluid accumulates behind the retina, it can cause the layers to separate, a condition called serous retinal detachment. Swelling in the brain (cerebral edema) puts pressure on the occipital cortex—the part of the brain responsible for processing vision—triggering a range of symptoms.
Diagnosing Preeclampsia-Related Eye Issues
If you experience any vision changes during pregnancy, it is important to report them to your healthcare provider. A medical evaluation will begin with checks to assess for preeclampsia, including measuring your blood pressure and testing your urine for protein. These initial tests help determine if the visual symptoms are connected to the condition.
Based on these findings, a more detailed eye examination may be performed. A provider might use an ophthalmoscope, a lighted instrument, to look directly at the retina and optic nerve. This allows them to see if there is any swelling of the optic nerve or changes to the retinal blood vessels, confirming the link to high blood pressure.
Treatment and Recovery of Vision
The most definitive way to resolve the eye and vision problems caused by preeclampsia is to treat the condition itself. The only cure for preeclampsia is the delivery of the baby and placenta. Depending on the severity of the condition and the gestational age, healthcare providers may recommend delivery, typically scheduled for around 37 to 38 weeks of pregnancy.
For the vast majority of individuals, vision problems begin to improve rapidly after delivery. As blood pressure returns to normal postpartum, the swelling in the brain and retina subsides, and blood flow to the eyes is restored. Vision typically returns to what it was before the onset of symptoms. Postpartum follow-up appointments are important to monitor blood pressure and ensure the eyes have fully recovered.