Have you ever been to your annual eye exam and wondered why you need to get your eyes dilated? The point of an eye exam is for your eye doctor to examine your eyes and vision health. Through eye dilation, they get a better understanding of your eye health. Keep reading to discover the importance of eye dilation.
What exactly is eye dilation?
Eye dilation is when your eye doctor puts dilating drops into your eyes to widen the pupil. Doing this allows your doctor a better look at the back of your eye.
The importance of eye dilation.
Typically, when a light is shined into your eyes, your pupil becomes smaller. But by dilating your eyes and enlarging your pupil, your doctor can look inside your eye with a magnifying lens to examine your retina, optic nerve and other parts of your eyes.
This process also facilitates the easy diagnosis of various eye conditions, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and more.
In addition, eye dilation can help diagnose chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that can affect your eyes.
How long does eye dilation last?
When getting your eyes dilated at your eye exam, there are a few things to know, including how long it will last. Typically, a full dilation takes time—sometimes it takes up to 30 minutes to fully dilate your eyes—and it can last for several hours.
However, a doctor cannot predict how long the effects of your eye dilation will last or how it will affect you, as it differs from person to person.
Eye dilation side effects.
The dilation of your eyes comes a few side effects, such as blurry vision, light sensitivity and difficulty focusing on close-up objects.
To prepare for your eye dilation, remember that your vision may be blurry afterward. To ensure your appointment goes smoothly, consider taking the following steps: bring sunglasses to protect your eyes, and ask someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
After your appointment, try to avoid focusing on a digital screen.
Summary
Has it been a while since your last eye exam? Be sure to put your vision and eye health at the top of your to-do list and book your next eye exam and eye dilation at Mississippi Eye Care! For more vision and eye care tips, continue reading our blogs.
