Do I HAVE to get my eyes dilated?
I recently had an eye exam and the doctor asked me if she could dilate my eyes. I didn’t like the sound of that…or the thought that dilation meant I’d have to keep my contacts out for a few hours. So, I said no.
But, later I wondered if maybe I should have. So, I went on a bit of a research mission to find out.
Why He Wants to Dilate Your Eyes
According to the experts, when your doctor dilates your eyes, the drops that he uses cause your iris (the dark portion at the middle of your eye) to widen. This gives your doctor a good view into the back of your eye. Normally, the doctor would shine a bright light into your eye and this would cause your iris to shrink. But, thanks to dilation, your iris expands and your doctor has a much better perspective.
In fact, by looking way back into your eye, your doctor can see if you are suffering from any eye conditions like: eye tumors, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, or similar problems. In addition, a doctor can sometimes tell if there are signs of disease or other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or an infectious disease. Dilation allows doctors to detect many of these problems a lot earlier than they otherwise could.
Do You Have a Choice?
Some optometrists though do allow patients somewhat of a choice when it comes to dilation based on their health history, eye health, and their age. But, be prepared. If you’ve previously had your eyes dilated and your doctor found something, you’ll most likely need to have your eyes dilated again. Most doctors will also discuss the reason for your examination for the purpose of seeing whether or not dilation is important at your visit. If you are having problems or symptoms of disease, your optometrist may strongly recommend it!
What To Expect with Dilated Eyes
But, if you are like me, and you don’t “feel” like you are having any problems, you may request not to have your eyes dilated. Dilation takes three to four hours to wear off and it can make you more sensitive to bright light and cause blurry vision or problems focusing on close objects. Not to mention the fact that if you wear contact lenses you can’t put them back in for a while.
Been a while since you’ve had an eye exam? Well, dilation might be best for you. Talk to a licensed optometrist, like the one at your closest America’s Best retailer and ask whether or not a full eye exam with dilation may be best for you.
