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. It is not uncommon for some kids to wake up the morning after an exam with their pupils still wide open.
In the past, a medication called Rev-Eyes dapiprozole was used to reverse dilation. It is now off the market. When it was available, typically it would take one to two hours for the medication to have an effect.
There were other side effects with the medication, and given the cost and side effect profile, these drops are no longer administered. For most people, the side effects of dilation are bothersome but not intolerable. To deal with blurred vision and sensitivity to light, disposable sunglasses are usually provided to help reduce short-term discomfort. Unlike regular sunglasses, these block off peripheral light from the side of the lenses as well as the front.
Most, but not all, drops cause a side effect called cycloplegia. Cycloplegia is the temporary paralysis of the muscle which allows the eye to focus on near objects. In some people, this effect can last for hours. In others, it may take several days for the vision to fully normalize. There are situations in which a doctor will want to intentionally cause cycloplegia. One such example is in young children whose focusing mechanism is so strong that it is often difficult to measure their vision or refractive error.
Cycloplegic drops may also be used to treat eye diseases or trauma that cause acute pain and light sensitivity. One such condition is called uveitis , the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye uvea. In some cases, the duration of pupillary dilation can significantly vary from the norm. This may be due to some inherent super-sensitivity your eye may have to dilating medication.
Some medications for dilation that can be used may last for days if not a week or more. Pediatric eye doctors may also use them to treat a condition called lazy eye in which a child develops reduced vision for any number of reasons.
These types of drops are prescribed for much longer periods of time, up to several months in some cases. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
A complete exam includes dilation. Schedule an eye exam every year if you or your child:. Annual eye exams are also recommended for all adults over 60, regardless of any eye conditions. African-Americans and Hispanics should have annual eye exams beginning at age Dilation can help your doctor diagnose not just eye conditions, but other health conditions as well. Having an eye exam with dilation every one to two years will help keep you and your eyes as healthy as possible.
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Your vision will be blurred and more sensitive to light from the dilating eye drops, so driving is one of the things you should avoid. Besides putting other drivers and yourself at risk, you can also risk causing permanent damage to your retinas from UV exposure. For this reason, wear sunglasses and ask a loved one or friend to drive you home if your eyes are dilated as part of your eye exam. Besides avoiding driving, other precautions you should take after having your eyes dilated include:.
After dilation, this is even more important to remember.
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