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Eye Care Should Be A Priority For Pregnant or Menopausal Women

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6, 1998 -- The American Academy of Ophthalmology says regular medical eye exams conducted by an ophthalmologist are important for all women, especially those who may experience changes in vision while pregnant or menopausal. "Throughout their lives women go through hormonal changes which can affect the eyes and vision, especially during pregnancy and menopause," said Anne Ricks Sumers, MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "Women who are busy managing families and/or careers often make their personal medical eye care a low priority, when it should come first."
Common eye and vision changes for pregnant women may include:
* blurred vision: change in glasses or contact lens prescription, or "refraction," because of a change in corneal thickness, causing visual function changes
* changes in pre-existing eye conditions, such as retinal problems associated with diabetes
* decreased corneal sensitivity, causing difficulty in contact lens wear
* increases in frequency and intensity of migraine headaches
* rare occurrences of reduction or distortion of vision (central serous chorioretinopathy); blood pressure (hypertensive) and vascular (blood) disorders; retinal detachment and eye tumors associated with blood vessels (uvael melanoma)
Common eye and vision changes for menopausal women may include:
* dry eye causing burning, itching, redness and often excessive tearing
* decreases in visual acuity
* swollen or red eyelids
* visual coordination (focusing) problems
* foreign body sensations
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following:
* individuals from puberty to age 40 who have had an initial comprehensive medical eye exam need to be examined only if ocular symptoms, visual changes, injury or family risk for development of significant eye disease are present
* at age 40, a baseline comprehensive medical eye exam should be done
* from age 40 to 64, an exam by an ophthalmologist should be done every two to four years
* those age 65 and older should be examined every one to two years

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