Dry eyes during pregnancy

By trimester

Weeks 1–13

1st trimester

Dry eyes can occur early, but dryness alone is not a reliable pregnancy sign. Persistent one-sided pain, redness, discharge, or light sensitivity deserves an eye examination rather than being attributed to hormones.

Weeks 14–27

2nd trimester

Pregnancy dry-eye reviews report symptoms most often in the second and third trimesters, although the evidence is inconsistent. Screen breaks, protection from moving air, and artificial tears are reasonable first steps for mild discomfort.

Weeks 28–birth

3rd trimester

Corneal and tear-film changes can make contact lenses less comfortable later in pregnancy. Switch to glasses when lenses sting, blur, or feel gritty, and postpone a new lens fit or refractive prescription if vision is fluctuating.

What does the evidence show for dry eyes?

• A 2025 clinical review found biologically plausible hormonal effects on the ocular surface but noted that pregnancy is not established as a confirmed dry-eye risk factor and that prevalence estimates vary widely across methods and populations. 1
• In a cross-sectional study of 30 pregnant and 32 nonpregnant women, pregnant participants had shorter noninvasive tear break-up times and greater meibomian-gland loss, but symptom scores and Schirmer tear-volume results were not significantly different. 2
• A separate study comparing 150 pregnant with 150 nonpregnant women found no group difference in reported symptoms or average Schirmer results, although pregnant participants more often had at least one eye meeting that study's dryness criterion. 3
• For mild dry eye, the National Eye Institute lists artificial tears plus avoiding smoke, wind, and direct air conditioning, using a humidifier, and taking screen breaks; severe or activity-limiting symptoms warrant an eye-care visit. 4
• During pregnancy, flashes, bright spots, blind spots, temporary vision loss, new inability to focus, or double vision are urgent maternal warning signs and should not be assumed to come from dry eye. 5

When should I call my provider about dry eyes?

Seek immediate pregnancy care for flashes or bright spots, blind spots, temporary vision loss, sudden persistent blur, inability to focus, or double vision. Prompt eye assessment is also warranted for significant eye pain, marked redness, light sensitivity, pus-like discharge, injury, or symptoms limited to one eye. Stop contact lenses until assessed when pain, redness, or light sensitivity develops. Whatever the pattern, any symptom that feels beyond your usual range is a reason to call: obstetric teams expect these questions and would rather hear early than late.