Dilation

What is dilation?

Dilation at W. Optical uses eye drops to dilate, or widen, your pupils, allowing your eye care specialist to use a light and magnifier to get an in-depth view of the inner portion of your eyes and detect possible problems. They may widen your pupils during traditional eye exams or diabetic eye exams if you’re at risk of or have been diagnosed with:

• Retinal detachment
• Macular degeneration
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts

Being a candidate for a dilation also depends on your age, overall health, and whether you have symptoms of an eye disease.

What should I expect during dilation?

Before dilation, your eye doctor often recommends you complete vision testing by looking through various lenses or reading letters and numbers off an eye chart. They may examine your eyes before and after dilation. 

Your W. Optical specialist dilates your pupils using specialized eye drops. When they place the drops in your eyes, you might feel a slight stinging sensation or notice a metallic taste in your mouth. After the pupils are wider, your eye doctor uses a light and magnifier to view the entire part of the eyes to look for blood vessel damage, optic nerve damage, or other irregularities. 

They may also complete tests that evaluate the pressure in your eyes or recommend retinal imaging to develop pictures of the inner parts of your eyes.

What should I expect after a dilated eye exam?

After dilation, your eye doctor lets you know if you need further diagnostic testing or treatment for vision problems or an eye disease. You might need contact lenses, glasses, eye drops, dietary supplements, medications, or medical procedures.

After dilation, your vision may be blurry for up to six hours, so plan to have someone drive you home after the exam. Your eyes might also be sensitive to light for a few hours.

How often should I schedule eye exams with dilation?

How often you need a dilated eye exam depends on your age and other risk factors. You might need one every year or two if you’re over age 60, have a history of eye disease, have diabetes, or experience new or worsening vision changes. Younger patients in good health might need eye exams every five years.

To find out if you need pupil dilation during your next eye exam, call the W. Optical office or schedule an appointment online today.