When your pupil is small, an eye doctor can see your optic nerve and macula but the view is limited. In order to see the entire retina, the pupil must be dilated. This is achieved through the use of eye drops. When eyes are dilated during an eye exam, it typically takes hours for pupils to return to normal.
Some individuals may experience eye dilation that lasts longer. Once your eyes are dilated, there is an increase in light sensitivity because the pupil is large and more light is coming through, so bring your sunglasses , or your ophthalmologist may provide some disposable shades for your use.
You may also experience blurry vision, particularly if you are trying to read. If it is your first time having your eyes dilated or you know your vision is too impaired for driving after dilation, bring a friend or companion to drive you home from your examination. While in the past there were some eye drops that could reverse the dilation, these are no longer available, so you will have to wait the hours before the drops completely wear off.
The optic nerve can be seen through an undilated pupil, but for optimum viewing a dilated pupil is required. This is important for the diagnosis of glaucoma , as well as other diseases of the optic nerve. Learn about what to expect during a glaucoma eye exam. Two very common retinal diseases, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration AMD , are diagnosed and monitored by examining the retina through a dilated pupil.
Ophthalmologists and optometrists perform eye dilation to assess for risk factors and maintain optimal eye health. We are fully functional now! Pupil dilation can show your doctor whether you have any problems with your eyes, like glaucoma. What Is Eye Dilation? Once they do, your doctor may conduct the following tests: Pupil response test: Your doctor shines a small flashlight into each eye to see how your pupils react to the light. Eye muscle function test: The eye doctor asks you to keep your head still and follow a moving object, such as a pen, with only your eyes to test your eye muscle strength and response.
Visual acuity test: While your eyes are dilated, your ophthalmologist will ask you to read letters up close and at a distance to check your vision. Visual field test: This test often involves a small flashing light on either side of your face that goes on and off. You tell the ophthalmologist when you see it come on, and where you see it, to test your peripheral vision.
Tonometry test: A machine puffs air into your eye to test your eye pressure. Whether you need to have your eyes dilated depends on your age, health, and risk of eye disease. Your eye doctor will determine whether you need eye dilation based on the following criteria: Family history: If you have a family history of genetic eye disease or you already have eye problems, you need to have your eyes dilated so your ophthalmologist can look for and maintain those conditions.
At-risk diseases: Some diseases, like diabetes, put you at a higher risk of eye problems. Once your doctor puts in the dilating drops, it takes about 20—30 minutes for your pupils to fully open, or dilate.
After your eyes are fully dilated, the effects will last for four to six hours for most people. Some people feel the effects of dilating drops for longer, including people with lighter color eyes. Dilation in children can last up to a full day after the exam.
The important thing is to use caution as long as your vision is blurry or your eyes are light sensitive. Dilation is harmless in the long term, but it does come with short-term side effects. These will usually last for about four to six hours. Dilation allows an eye doctor to look inside your eyes. The widened pupil allows your doctor to use a magnifying lens to look inside your eye and at the back of your eye.
It also helps diagnose some chronic conditions that affect more than your eye, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. This is because those conditions can lead to changes in the eye. Typically, your pupils will automatically constrict get smaller in sunlight to make UV damage less likely. Don't stare at digital screens: Blue light emitted from electronic screens can contribute to digital eye strain.
Until your pupils return to normal after dilation, limit your screen time and exposure to blue light to avoid discomfort.
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