Differential Diagnosis for Blurred Vision in Pregnancy
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gestational Diabetes: Blurred vision is a common symptom of gestational diabetes due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can cause the lens in the eye to swell, leading to changes in vision.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Preeclampsia: High blood pressure associated with preeclampsia can cause changes in vision, including blurred vision, due to the effect on the blood vessels in the retina.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to dry eye syndrome, causing blurred vision, irritation, and discomfort.
- Refractive Changes: Pregnancy can cause temporary changes in the shape of the cornea, leading to refractive errors and blurred vision.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pituitary Apoplexy: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition where a pituitary tumor suddenly hemorrhages or becomes infarcted, causing severe headache, visual disturbances, and potentially leading to pituitary failure.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Although less common in pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy can cause blurred vision and is a significant concern due to the potential for permanent vision loss.
- Migraines with Aura: Migraines can cause transient blurred vision and other visual disturbances, but in pregnancy, they can also be a sign of more serious conditions like preeclampsia.
Rare Diagnoses
- Optic Neuritis: An inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause blurred vision, pain, and loss of color vision, which, although rare, can occur in pregnancy.
- Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid under the retina, causing blurred vision, which is rare but can be associated with pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
- Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease: A rare autoimmune condition that can cause blurred vision, among other symptoms, and is associated with pregnancy in some cases.