Dilated eye exam
dilated eye exam · eye drops to widen pupils · retina check · fundus exam
Drops are put in your eyes to make the pupils wide. Through them, the doctor can clearly see the retina, blood vessels, and the optic nerve.
For diabetes and high blood pressure, short-sightedness, flashes and floaters, worse vision, and at a routine check-up.
⏱ Duration: the visit usually takes 40 to 60 minutes; the drops take 20 to 30 minutes to work
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Getting home. Do not drive after the exam. Your vision will be blurry for a few hours. Take a taxi or come with someone.
- Contact lenses. Bring your lens case. Lenses are taken out before the exam.
- Your plans. For a few hours after the exam, reading and looking at your phone are hard. Do not plan work with small print.
What to bring
- Sunglasses
- Your glasses
- A contact lens case
- Past eye doctor reports
How it goes
- Usually your vision and eye pressure are checked first
- Drops are put in each eye
- You wait 20 to 30 minutes while your pupils widen
- The doctor shines a bright light into your eye through a lens or a device
- You are asked to look up, down, and to the sides
What you'll feel
- The drops may sting a little
- The bright light is unpleasant, but it does not hurt
- Afterwards your vision is blurry and light feels too bright
Afterwards
- Blurriness and light sensitivity usually pass in 4 to 6 hours, sometimes by the evening
- Wear sunglasses
- The doctor tells you the results right away
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Severe eye pain, redness, or a headache with nausea and rainbow rings around lights after the drops: see an eye doctor urgently or call emergency services
Common questions
How long do the dilating drops last?
Usually 4 to 6 hours. For some people, until the evening or the next morning.
Can I drive after a dilated eye exam?
No. While your pupils are wide, your vision is blurry and light is dazzling. This is dangerous.