CHICAGO — May 2026: Pregnancy brings profound changes to a woman's body, including her eyes and retinas. During Healthy Vision Month, the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) is urging pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant to understand how retinal conditions can develop or worsen during pregnancy and why prompt evaluation by a retina specialist can be sight- and life-changing.
Hormonal, metabolic, and vascular shifts during pregnancy can accelerate existing retinal condidistions or unmask disease that was previously undetected. Women with diabetes are at particular risk for diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that can progress rapidly during pregnancy—sometimes within weeks.
Pregnancy can also trigger retinal complications linked to other systemic conditions. Preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication affecting the whole body, can cause high blood pressure that damages retinal blood vessels, leads to swelling, and, in severe cases, can cause retinal detachment. Later in pregnancy, some women develop central serous chorioretinopathy, a condition in which fluid builds up beneath the retina and causes distorted vision.
"Any sudden change in vision during pregnancy should be taken seriously."Geoffrey G. Emerson, ASRS President, MD, PhD, FASRS
"Early diagnosis and treatment by a retina specialist can mean the difference between preserving vision and permanent vision loss. These are emergencies, and patients need to know to act immediately," said ASRS President Geoffrey G. Emerson, MD, PhD, FASRS.
Kristin, a young mother who has lived with type 1 diabetes since age five, knows this risk firsthand. Years of care from a retina specialist had kept her diabetic retinopathy stable—until her second pregnancy. A severe cough added physical pressure to already-fragile retinal blood vessels, and her vision began to deteriorate rapidly. Within weeks, bleeding in both eyes had left her essentially blind.
"My husband was at work and I couldn't find my three-year-old," she recalled. "I called my parents crying because I couldn't see anything. It was terrifying."
Because dense bleeding made laser treatment impossible, surgery became her only option. To minimize anesthesia exposure to her unborn baby, Kristin's retina specialist, Dr. Emerson, made the rare decision to perform vitrectomy surgery on both eyes the same day with obstetric support on standby throughout. Kristin was awake, her eyes numbed by local anesthesia. Within days, her vision was restored.
"My best advice is to see your eye doctor regularly and trust your retina specialist," Kristin said. "And if you have diabetes, take good care of yourself. I know now how much of a difference it could have made for me."
Today, Kristin's diabetic retinopathy remains stable. With her own daughter recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10, she hopes her story encourages the next generation to prioritize their vision throughout their life, including during and after pregnancy.
The ASRS urges all pregnant women—and anyone who experiences sudden changes in vision—to seek care from a retina specialist immediately if they notice:
Sudden vision loss or significant blurring
New or increased floaters
Flashes of light
A shadow, curtain, or dark area in the field of vision
Distorted or wavy central vision
These symptoms may indicate a retinal emergency. Do not wait for a routine appointment—seek care immediately.
While some pregnancy-related retinal conditions may improve after delivery, delaying evaluation can put vision at risk. Learn more by downloading ASRS's Understanding Retina Health During Pregnancy patient guide at asrs.org/patient-guides.
Retina specialists are medical doctors who complete advanced training in ophthalmology and sub-specialize in diseases and surgery of the retina. They are the most qualified experts to diagnose and treat complex retinal conditions—including those that arise or worsen during pregnancy.
If you experience symptoms of a retinal condition, find a retina specialist with ASRS's Find a Retina Specialist locator. Search the ASRS database of member retina specialists using a physician's name or enter your country, city, state, or zip code. Results are listed and shown on a map of your area. Access the search tool at FindYourRetinaSpecialist.org. Visit SeeforaLifetime.org to learn more about retina specialists and maintaining retina health.
(Newswise/HG)