Dialated Pupils

     Opticians are technicians trained to fit eyeglass lenses and frames and contact lenses to correct vision problems, but they cannot diagnose or treat eye diseases or write prescriptions. Many have one or two years of training and are licensed, but not all states require opticians to have a license. 

     Optometrists perform eye exams and vision tests, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, detect eye abnormalities, and prescribe medications for eye diseases. They are not medical doctors, but are doctors of optometry (OD). They have a degree after finishing three or more years of college and four years of optometry school. 

     Ophthalmologist have attended medical school and done a residency in ophthalmology. These eye doctors have completed college and at least four years of additional medical training. They can provide all the services optometrists can plus they are licensed to practice medicine and perform surgery. 

     Getting your eyes dilated is usually a part of a complete eye exam. After the dilating drops are put in it takes about 20–30 minutes for the pupils to fully open and the effects usually last for four to six hours. People with lighter color eyes will feel the effects longer and children can can feel the effects for a full day. The side effects include stinging after the drops are put in, light sensitivity, blurry vision, trouble focusing on close objects.

     Dilation allows the doctor to look inside the eyes by expanding the pupils so they don't get smaller when a light is shined in the eyes. The widened pupil allows the doctor to use a magnifying lens to look inside of the eye and at the back of your eye so they can see the retina, optic nerve, blood vessels, etc. 

     Dilation helps diagnose conditions such as glaucoma, a detached retina, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. It also helps diagnose some conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Those conditions can lead to changes in the eye. For example, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina. 

     Dilating drops can also be used to treat certain eye conditions such as eye inflammation and lazy eye (amblyopia), a condition where one eye doesn’t properly connect with the brain.  

    Whether eye dilation during an exam is necessary depends on the reason for your exam, your age, your overall health and your risk of eye diseases. The eye drops used for dilation cause your pupils to widen, allowing in more light and giving your doctor a better view of the back of your eye. 

 

Whether or not dilation is necessary depends on several factors: 

1) Age. The risk of eye diseases increases with age and the National Eye Institute recommends a dilated eye exam once every one to two years for those over 60.

2) Ethnic background. People of certain ethnic backgrounds are at increased risk of some eye diseases. Blacks and Hispanics are at increased risk of glaucoma and are advised to have a dilated eye exam every one to two years, starting at age 40. 

3) Eye health. Having a history of eye diseases that affect the back of the eye can increase your risk of future eye problems. 

4) Overall health. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, increase the risk of eye disease. 

5) Reason for the exam. Some symptoms require a dilated exam to determine the cause.