Maternity care is still essential during the coronavirus pandemic and services are still running. If you have any vision problems – even if you don’t have any other symptoms – call your midwife or hospital maternity unit straight away.
Vision problems such as blurring or flashing lights in your eyes could be caused by:
- a migraine
- pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure in pregnancy). This is a type of high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks and goes away within 6 weeks of the baby's birth. It’s also known as gestational high blood pressure or gestational hypertension.
- water retention, which may affect the front of your eyes and change your vision slightly
- pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition that usually happens after 20 weeks. Other symptoms can include:
- a sudden increase in swelling in your face, hands or feet
- a very bad headache or a dull headache that won’t go away
- severe pain just below your ribs
- feeling sick or vomiting
- feeling unwell.
Read more about pre-eclampsia.
If you have any vision problems – even if you don’t have any other symptoms – call your midwife or hospital maternity unit straight away.
