Dilated pupils optometrist how long

In order to see the entire retina, the pupil must be dilated. This is achieved through the use of eye drops. When eyes are dilated during an eye exam, it typically takes hours for pupils to return to normal. Some individuals may experience eye dilation that lasts longer.

Once your eyes are dilated, there is an increase in light sensitivity because the pupil is large and more light is coming through, so bring your sunglasses , or your ophthalmologist may provide some disposable shades for your use. You may also experience blurry vision, particularly if you are trying to read.

If it is your first time having your eyes dilated or you know your vision is too impaired for driving after dilation, bring a friend or companion to drive you home from your examination. While in the past there were some eye drops that could reverse the dilation, these are no longer available, so you will have to wait the hours before the drops completely wear off. The optic nerve can be seen through an undilated pupil, but for optimum viewing a dilated pupil is required.

This is important for the diagnosis of glaucoma , as well as other diseases of the optic nerve. Learn about what to expect during a glaucoma eye exam. Two very common retinal diseases, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration AMD , are diagnosed and monitored by examining the retina through a dilated pupil. Learn about what to expect during a macular degeneration eye exam. In addition to macular degeneration and glaucoma, there are many other conditions that require pupil dilation, such as detection of a retinal tear or detachment, or an ocular tumor, just to name a few.

As part of a comprehensive eye examination, pupil dilation is very important at revealing the status of your optic nerve and retina, and is critical to preventing and treating eye conditions that could potentially lead to vision loss. Yvonne Ou, MD, is a board certified ophthalmologist who specializes in glaucoma, including medical, laser and surgical therapies; cataract evaluation and treatment including combined cataract and glaucoma surgery; glaucoma filtering and implant surgery; and newer procedures.

Back to Expert Advice. Expert Advice. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Dilating the pupils of the eyes helps an ophthalmologist view the internal structures, including the lens , optic nerve , blood vessels, and retina. Dilation involves the use of special eye drops that either stimulate contraction of the muscles surrounding the pupil or relaxes the muscles so that they open.

Dilation is a key component of a comprehensive eye exam , allowing doctors to identify and diagnose eye problems that they may otherwise not see. The National Eye Institute currently recommends that adults regularly undergo such exams starting at age 40 to The pupil is similar to a camera aperture in that it becomes bigger or smaller, depending on how much light is needed.

To do this, the pupil will undergo miosis , in which the constriction of the pupil causes it to close, or mydriasis , in which the dilation of the pupil allows it to open.

The pupil size is controlled by both the sympathetic nervous system the "fight or flight" response and the parasympathetic nervous system the converse response in which the body slows high energy functions.

The pupil size can change for many reasons. It could adjust in response to the amount of light it is exposed to. It can also change when a person becomes excited such as in moments of physical stress, emotional stress, or exposure to painful stimuli. It is believed the "fight or flight" response is an evolutionary one, allowing more light into the eye so that the body can react more readily to potential harms. Dilating the eyes is a central part of an eye exam.

It involves the administration of two or three drops directly into the eye. Depending on what the doctor is trying to achieve and how large the pupil needs to be, different types of eye drops may be used, including:. Eye drops are placed in both eyes so that the retina, macula, and optic nerve can be examined closely using a handheld light and magnifying lens. While the dilation itself is not painful, it can be incredibly uncomfortable as the eye has no means by which to protect itself from light.

After a dilated eye exam, your pupils will normally remain open for about three to four hours, sometimes longer. The time eyes remain dilated varies according to the type of drops used, as well as the color of your eyes.

By and large, dark-colored eyes have shorter dilation periods, typically for two to four hours, while light-colored eyes may stay open for up to eight hours. Children, meanwhile, are often dilated with stronger drops to improve the accuracy of the exam. Eye dilation can cause several side effects. The most immediate effect is stinging, which generally occurs when the eye dilation drops come into contact with the eyes. In some cases, doctors may apply numbing drops to the eye beforehand to prevent the stinging sensation.

In very rare cases, a person may experience an allergic reaction to the eye dilation drops, which may result in red and swollen eyes. More severe allergic reactions could produce the following symptoms:. Wearing sunglasses: People can take a pair of sunglasses along to their eye appointment to wear after the eye exam. Wearing these will help protect eyes that are light-sensitive due to pupil dilation. Most eye doctors provide temporary sunglasses for their patients.

Avoiding close work: Close work, such as reading and focusing on a computer screen, can be difficult during eye dilation. People whose jobs involve these tasks should arrange a few extra hours off work, where possible. Eye dilation can sometimes result in a temporary condition called cycloplegia. Cycloplegia is paralysis of the eye muscle that allows a person to focus. For most people, cycloplegia occurs only while the eye dilation drops are taking effect.

In rare cases, eye dilation may cause cycloplegia to last for several days. Although this can be very concerning, the condition is temporary and will go away with time. Having certain preexisting eye conditions may also complicate the effects of eye dilation.

In some cases, these visual problems may worsen while the eye dilation drops are taking effect. Eye dilation is necessary for several types of eye test. These tests are important for detecting various eye conditions and diseases in their early stages.

Most people can expect eye dilation to last somewhere between 4 and 24 hours. Generally, the effects last the longest in people with lighter colored eyes and in children who require stronger doses of eye dilation drops. There is no research to prove that exercises can help with drooping eyelids.