Why Do My Eyes Have To Be Dilated At My Regular Follow-Ups?

Macular degeneration is a disease of the retina. The retina is in the back of the eye, and the best method of examining the back of the eye is with a dilated retinal examination. Enlargement of the pupil offers the ophthalmologist the best view of the retina—one that is in stereovision, or three-dimensional. In addition, the dilated exam is ideal for any type of photography that the ophthalmologist feels is necessary to better evaluate the macula.

In general, a dilated examination allows for the highest quality of imaging, which is often a necessary part of the examination. The dilation usually lasts several hours, typically 3 to 4, although in some patients it can last longer. It is often recommended that patients bring sunglasses to the examination to be more comfortable when the examination is completed. To avoid having to drive with dilated eyes upon completion of the exam, many patients bring family members or friends to the examination.

Nick’s comment:

The result of dilation for me was blurry vision and was no fun. But, I found that taking a nap or just shutting my eyes for an hour or so was a great help. I recommend not driving!