Navigating Vision Changes and Choosing the Right Time for Refractive Surgery
Motherhood is one of life’s most profound journeys – one that begins even before your baby is born. As you prepare to nurture and raise a child, it’s natural to want to simplify your life wherever possible. For many women, this includes the desire for clear vision without the daily reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
At Sandton Eye Clinic, we often hear the same question from mothers and women planning to start families: “When is the best time to have laser eye surgery?” This blog will walk you through everything you need to know — from pregnancy-related vision changes to LASIK timing — to help you make a confident, informed decision.
Why Do My Eyes Change During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
Pregnancy brings a cascade of hormonal changes that affect nearly every system in the body — including your eyes. Common visual changes during pregnancy and nursing include:
- Blurred Vision due to fluid retention changing the shape of your cornea.
- Dry Eyes from hormonal imbalance, making contact lenses uncomfortable.
- Increased Light Sensitivity and eye strain, especially during screen time.
- Fluctuating Prescriptions, making it impractical to update your glasses or lenses.
The good news? Most of these changes are temporary and resolve after your hormones return to normal post-pregnancy or post-breastfeeding. If you already had LASIK it will also not be reversed and you should have clear vision again.
Can I Have LASIK While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
No — LASIK is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Hormonal fluctuations can affect your cornea’s shape, and your prescription may not be stable. Surgery during this time could result in less accurate results.
Instead, the best time for LASIK is when:
- You get married and plan to start a family in 3 months or more.
- Your hormone levels have normalised after delivery (after your period returns, typically ~3 months).
- You’re not breastfeeding, or you’ve stopped for at least 3 months.
“I can enjoy all the stages of my baby without her grabbing my glasses off my face”
– Cartier Lebatie
When Is the Best Time for LASIK If I Plan to Have Children?
If you are planning to start a family, 2–6 months before conception is often ideal. Here’s why:
- It gives your eyes time to heal fully before pregnancy.
- You’ll enjoy clear, unaided vision during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- You can avoid the hassle of glasses being knocked off by curious little hands once your baby starts exploring!
Having laser vision correction beforehand can make motherhood easier, safer, and more comfortable — especially when it comes to those midnight feeds, school drop-offs, or simply enjoying uninterrupted eye contact with your little one.
Contact Lenses and Pregnancy: Is It Safe to Wear Them?
Yes, but it can become more challenging. Many women experience:
- Dry, irritated eyes that make lenses uncomfortable.
- Changes in corneal curvature, which affect how your lenses fit.
- Eye strain from long wear times, especially in labour or during sleepless nights.
If you continue wearing lenses:
- Use preservative-free lubricating drops.
- Reduce wear time or switch to glasses when needed.
- Always carry glasses as a backup, especially during labour or hospital visits.
Eye Contact During Feeding: Why Vision Matters
Did you know your baby’s earliest social learning happens through eye contact?
Maintaining visual connection during breast- or bottle-feeding promotes:
- Emotional bonding
- Early language development
- Cognitive and social growth
Uncorrected refractive error or discomfort from glasses can interrupt this special interaction. That’s why many mothers consider vision correction early — not only for convenience but to be fully present during these milestones.
“Before PRK, my main challenges as a mother were constantly looking for my glasses and ensuring they stayed intact”
– Adele Koolen
When Can I Have LASIK After My Baby Is Born?
If you didn’t have LASIK before pregnancy, you can typically consider the procedure:
- Three months after childbirth, if not breastfeeding
- Three months after stopping breastfeeding, if you are
This gives your hormones time to settle and ensures your prescription is stable — which is crucial for accurate results.
Tips for Managing Vision During Pregnancy
Here are 10 helpful tips for mothers navigating vision changes with contacts or glasses:
- Stay hydrated - it reduces dry eyes and improves contact lens comfort.
- Use pregnancy-safe lubricating drops - unpreserved options are best.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors - reduce light sensitivity and protect your eyes.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule – rest your eyes during screen time by looking at an object at least 6 meters (20 feet) away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.
- Keep your glasses prescription up to date – but don’t change it during pregnancy.
- Listen to your eyes – switch to glasses if contacts become uncomfortable.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses during labour – long hours can cause irritation.
- Eat a balanced, eye-friendly diet – especially rich in Omega-3 and Vitamin A.
- Don’t sleep in contact lenses – ever.
- Consult your eye care provider - if you notice vision changes or discomfort.
Bonus Tip:
Support Milk Production, Eye Health, and Clear Vision
Good hydration is essential during breastfeeding — not just for milk supply, but also for your eye health. Dry eyes are a common cause of vision fluctuation in nursing mothers, and staying well-hydrated can help maintain tear film stability and visual comfort. This antioxidant-rich drink supports overall wellness while protecting your eyes from oxidative stress.
Try this nourishing rehydration recipe:
- 30 ml Black Thorn Berry Elixir
- 1 packet of Blackcurrant Rehydrate
- 1 L clear cranberry juice or apple juice
- 2 L water
Mix well and sip throughout the day.
The cranberry juice is packed with antioxidants that help protect eye tissues, while the elixir and electrolytes support sustained hydration and milk production.
The Gift of Clear Vision:
A Mother’s Perspective
Every mother deserves to experience this journey with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re preparing to start a family, in the middle of motherhood, or wrapping up the breastfeeding season, there is a time for clear vision — and we’re here to help you find it.
Michaela Mallet Shares her Experience @betterwithbalance
“Becoming a mom is one of the most life-changing experiences-and I’m incredibly grateful that I went into motherhood with clear vision, thanks to my laser correction at Sandton Eye Clinic. Prior to falling pregnant I had reached out to Sandton eye clinic to find out if undergoing the vision correction before falling pregnant would be a good idea and today I want to share with you my testimonial and experience with pregnancy after the procedure.
During pregnancy, I found that everything intensified—my senses, my emotions, and even how my body reacted to things. One thing I was so relieved about was not having to deal with contact lenses or glasses during that time. I know pregnancy can sometimes bring changes to your eyes, but mine remained stable, and I didn’t have the extra hassle of adjusting to new prescriptions or worrying about eye irritation.”
Since giving birth, I can't tell you how thankful I've been for my laser vision every single day. Waking up multiple times in the night for feeds, navigating through newborn chaos, and even just spotting where I left a dummy in the dark—these small moments would've been so much harder if I still relied on glasses.
“Looking back, I truly can’t imagine motherhood with glasses. The constant fogging up, the slipping while carrying my baby, or just trying to cuddle without a frame getting in the way—it would’ve added stress to an already overwhelming time. Laser correction gave me one less thing to think about and made me feel more confident and capable during those early weeks.
To other moms or moms-to-be: if you’re considering laser eye surgery, my encouragement would be—do it for yourself. It’s one of the best decisions I made before becoming a mom, and it’s been such a gift to have clear, hassle-free vision during this special chapter of my life.”
Considering LASIK?
Book your consultation at Sandton Eye Clinic and explore whether laser vision correction is right for your journey into motherhood.
Disclaimer: Glasses remain a safe option as they do not involve any medical procedure. LASIK is a lifestyle choice for those seeking unaided vision and may not be suitable if you are content with wearing glasses. Research suggests the cumulative risk of contact lenses may exceed that of LASIK.
