Why do my eyes feel so dry, now I'm pregnant?

Babycentre Editorial Team

Our panel of health writers.

It's common to have dry eyes in pregnancy, especially if this is your second, or subsequent pregnancy. It's known as dry eye syndrome, and is thought to be caused by hormonal changes, particularly a drop in male hormones (androgens).

Your eyes are dry because there's been a change in the amount or type of tears you produce, meaning your eyes are not kept moist enough. You may have:
  • red eyes
  • a gritty feeling in your eye that gets worse as the day goes on
  • sticky eyelids when you wake in the morning
  • watery eyes on windy days

You may just notice that your eyes are a bit dry on and off during the day. However, dry eyes can become a real problem. If you usually wear contact lenses, you may struggle to keep them in place, or find them uncomfortable to wear.

You may have more serious symptoms, such as:
  • severe redness
  • severe pain
  • sensitivity to light
  • deterioration in your vision

These symptoms may be caused by damage to the transparent layer that covers the front of your eye (cornea). If left untreated, your eyesight could be permanently damaged.

If your dry eyes are bothering you, see a GP or an optometrist to check that your eyes are healthy, and that there's no scarring or infection. If your symptoms are severe, seek help immediately. If you can't see your optometrist or GP soon enough, you should go to accident and emergency (A&E).

Dry eyes can be treated with artificial tears or ointments, but check with your doctor first. Treatments that you can buy over the counter may not be suitable for you while you're pregnant.

Try the following self-help tips:
  • Don't stare for long periods at a computer screen. This affects how often you blink, and can dry your eyes out. So take plenty of breaks, and make sure that your computer screen is at or below eye level.
  • Create a more humid atmosphere at work or at home. Use a humidifier, and open the windows, even if it's just briefly. Have plants on your desk or around your home, and keep them watered.
  • Massage your eyelids by gently rolling the end of your forefinger over them. This will encourage mucus to be pushed out of the glands in your eyelids.
  • Keep your eyes clean. Gently dab your upper and lower eyelids with warm water and cotton pads or cotton buds.
  • Protect your eyes from the elements. In windy or hot, dry conditions, wear wraparound sunglasses.
  • Smoke irritates eyes, so stay out of smoky atmospheres. If you smoke, try to give up, for your and your baby's health.

Last reviewed: March 2013


This article was written using the following sources:

Foster CS. 2012. Dry eye syndrome. eMedicine [Accessed November 2012]

NHS Choices. 2012. Dry eye syndrome. NHS Choices, Health A-Z. [Accessed November 2012]

PRODIGY. 2008. Dry eye syndrome. PRODIGY Clarity, Clinical topic. [Accessed November 2012] Skare TL, Gehlen ML, Silveira DM, et al. 2012. Lacrimal dysfunction and pregnancy. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 34(4):170-4

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