As part of your regular eye exam your doctor should dilate your pupils to see the back of your eye (retina). The doctor will put eye drops into your eyes that will start the process. After 15 to 20 minutes your eyes will be fully dilated. As your pupils grow your eyes will be more open, letting more light in and allowing your doctor to take a close look into your eye and retina.

Why?

Dilation is important because it allows your doctor to take a close inspection of the back of your eye and retina. We will look for conditions like retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes and more.

Dilation can be a great look at your overall heath because it is the only non-invasive way to take a close look at your nerves and blood vessels. People with diabetes should get regular eye exams to check for vision changes. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and early detection can help protect their vision.

Side Effects

Your vision will be blurry and sensitive to light for 4-6 hours. You should bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight after your exam. Many patients are able to return to their normal activities after an exam but be prepared to wait to drive and get your vision back to normal.

Dilated Eye

Retinal Photo