Dilation of the eyes is part of a more comprehensive vision examination. Dilation involves one eye drop for each eye. The drop allows the pupil to open widely, giving you doctor a more extensive view to the health inside your eyes (like having a larger keyhole to spy into a room). The drops work within 10-15 minutes, but will keep your pupils big for a few hours. Most people have no difficulty driving home with sunglasses, but many experience blur with small print for a few hours. There is no additional fee involved for this procedure.

Dilation of the eyes is especially important if you are:

• Diabetic – Diabetes can have devasting effects on the eyes. Yearly dilation is recommended for those with diabetes.
• Hypertensive – High blood pressue can also lead to permanent retinal damage.
• Nearsighted – A highly nearsighted eye may be very healthy, but it is typically a longer eye. That means that your retina needs to stretch thinner to completely cover the inside of the eye. This can make it more prone to cracks, tears, or holes that can lead to retinal detachment.
• Experiencing any visual problem that is out of the ordinary for you – Signs of potential problems include: bright flashes of light, a dark curtain coming down over your vision, a sudden onset of many “floaters” (a few are normal), and new problems with your peripheral vision.