What a Dilated Eye Exam is All About
Saturday, July 15th, 2017, 5:36 am
A dilated eye exam is an integral part of your regular eye exam. Your doctor will administer special eye drops that will dilate (widen) your pupils. This will allow them to have access to various features of your retina that can reveal your current vision health.
At your eye exam, remember to inform your doctor if you have a family history of glaucoma or if you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to eye drops. After the eye drops are given, it takes up to 20 minutes for your eyes to fully dilate. At this point, your doctor will shine a bright light into your eyes so they can assess them. Here are some of the things your doctor is looking for:
- Optic nerve fibers: The color and shape of optic nerve fibers can provide valuable information about the health of your eyes. Your doctor will also assess the way in which the fibers cross over from the eye to the brain.
- Larger health issues: There are specific cues evident in the eyes that can alert your doctor if you are suffering from a head injury or brain tumor.
- Age related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD has the potential to turn into a severe eye condition. Your doctor will look for pigmentation clumping or yellow deposits beneath the retina to ascertain if you have AMD.
Anyone with diabetes should make dilated eye exams a regular part of their health check ups. Those who have had diabetes longer have a greater potential for eye problems. Dilated eye exams allow your doctor to catch any vision issues long before you feel the affects of it. Early diagnosis and treatment will help protect your vision long-term.
After your dilated eye exam, your vision will be blurry and sensitive for several hours. Have some sunglasses on hand to shield against the sun and bright light. For safety, consider having someone else drive you home.
At Marion Eye Center & Optical, your eye health is our top priority. If you have any concerns or questions about your eyes, don’t hesitate to call us today at 1-800-344-7058 (IL) or 1-877-269-4545(MO).
Category: Eye Exam
