How long dilation wear off

This is a good reference article by Healthline to learn more about what diseases are identifiable through dilated eye exams. Dilation comes with some side effects. The most common side effects of dilation are trouble focusing, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision.

If you experience any of these side effects, just wait for them to wear off. A reputable optometrist like Tucson Optometry Clinic can guide you through the entire process. Ensuring you remain safe and comfortable during your exam. Having an experienced and passionate optometrist office perform your eye exam makes all the difference. Q: Is Eye Dilation necessary? A: yes, to fully understand your eye health, optometrists must dilate your eyes.

The likelihood of developing an eye condition increases with age. People over 60 years of age should get a dilated eye exam every once every two years. Q: Can you drive with your eyes, dilated? Eye dilation affects people differently. Some people feel comfortable enough to drive after an eye dilation exam. Speak with your optometrist and gauge your vision after the exam. Q: How long do you need to wait to drive after your eyes are dilated?

However, people with blue or green eyes will experience dilation faster than people with brown eyes. While the dilated eye exam may be over rather quickly, the dilation itself continues. During this time, a person may experience the following effects of eye dilation:. The duration of eye dilation can vary widely. According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus , the average dilation lasts from 4 to 24 hours.

However, doctors may recommend avoiding driving while the eyes remain dilated, especially if the person has not experienced the effects before. Where possible, people should arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home after their eye exam. Eye dilation can cause several side effects.

The most immediate effect is stinging, which generally occurs when the eye dilation drops come into contact with the eyes. In some cases, doctors may apply numbing drops to the eye beforehand to prevent the stinging sensation.

In very rare cases, a person may experience an allergic reaction to the eye dilation drops, which may result in red and swollen eyes. More severe allergic reactions could produce the following symptoms:. Wearing sunglasses: People can take a pair of sunglasses along to their eye appointment to wear after the eye exam. Wearing these will help protect eyes that are light-sensitive due to pupil dilation.

Most eye doctors provide temporary sunglasses for their patients. Avoiding close work: Close work, such as reading and focusing on a computer screen, can be difficult during eye dilation. People whose jobs involve these tasks should arrange a few extra hours off work, where possible. Eye dilation can sometimes result in a temporary condition called cycloplegia. Cycloplegia is paralysis of the eye muscle that allows a person to focus.

For most people, cycloplegia occurs only while the eye dilation drops are taking effect. In rare cases, eye dilation may cause cycloplegia to last for several days. Although this can be very concerning, the condition is temporary and will go away with time. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will suggest that you avoid putting them in until the dilation reduces. If you wear regular eyeglasses, you should be able to put them on as soon as the doctor completes your eye dilation examination.

While rare, it is possible for the eye drops to cause an allergic reaction, such as red eyes and swelling of the eyelids. If atropine is used, the following side effects are possible:. If you do not experience any side effects affecting your vision, you can resume driving. It is typically recommended that you avoid driving if you experience effects, such as blurriness or trouble focusing on objects.

This ensures you are prepared just in case your vision is affected enough that driving yourself home could be dangerous. Dilating the eyes may benefit certain eye conditions, such as lazy eye and inflammation in the eye.

When used as a treatment, the same eye drops used to dilate your eyes during an examination are used. The overall process is the same. Dilation is usually done as part of a comprehensive eye examination. It may also be done in an acute setting to evaluate a possible injury to the eye. Essentially, dilation lets more light into your eye, so the doctor is better able to see the entire eye. No, dilation does not cause pain.

You may experience sensitivity to light and some blurriness, however. If you are young and have no vision issues, you may not need to have your eyes dilated at every eye exam. February Mayo Clinic. September American Academy of Ophthalmology. National Eye Institute. June Optometry Times.

Eye Dilation. December American Heart Association. What Are Dilating Eye Drops? May Facts About Diabetic Eye Disease. Dilating Eye Drops. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. July