New Mom's Sight Vanishes Postpartum

Jodie Akrill, a new mother, experienced a dramatic and sudden loss of vision in her right eye just four months after welcoming her child. Describing the sensation as looking through a rainy car window, she woke up unable to see.

This was not the first vision issue, as she had temporary central vision loss in the same eye during her third trimester due to pregnancy-induced maculopathy. Akrill, who has type 1 diabetes, sought care at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in 2025.

There, she was diagnosed with diabetic macular oedema (DMO), a condition where diabetes causes swelling in the eye's macula due to leaking blood vessels. She underwent laser treatment and received injections over several months to manage fluid and pressure.

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Sharon Heng noted that DMO affects about 7% of individuals with diabetes. While specific data on pregnant women is scarce, existing diabetic retinopathy can be exacerbated by pregnancy, potentially worsening DMO.

Akrill's vision has since been fully restored. Reflecting on her ordeal, she emphasizes the importance of discussing less-talked-about postpartum changes, which also included hair loss and hormonal issues. She co-founded a baby clothing company during her recovery.

Tommy's, a charity focused on pregnancy care, acknowledges that eyesight can change significantly during pregnancy due to hormones, advising women to consult healthcare professionals about any vision concerns.