Why Do Doctors Dilate Eyes?
Dilation of the pupil refers to the technique of instilling eye drops which temporarily make your pupils larger. This gives your doctor an opportunity to see more of your retina when s/he looks into your eye to examine it’s health. It’s a lot like looking into a keyhole to see what’s inside a room; the bigger the keyhole, the more you can see.
A commonly noticed effect of the drops is the temporary reduction in focusing ability to see things at near clearly. For some younger patients, this effect is an advantage to the optometrist who can utilize it to determine a more accurate prescription for the patient. The blurring at near gradually reduces and the ability to focus at near again should return within a few hours.
How Long Does It Last?
Your vision will start to return to normal anywhere from between four to six hours. During this time, you may receive some special temporary sunglasses to wear to protect you from bright light. Your vision examination is a lot more than just a test for glasses. Exams with routine dilation of your eyes are more common now than in the past. This helps assure that you receive the highest quality vision care that is
available.
Can I Order Eyeglasses?
After your exam, the doctor may write an eyeglass prescription for you. If you choose to fill it at the University Optometric Center Dispensing Service, you will be assisted in your frame and lens selection by a New York State licensed ophthalmic dispenser (optician). Please be advised that if your eyes are still dilated, it may be a little more difficult to see yourself in the mirror while trying on new frames.
