I have this idea about using special eye drops to dilate my pupils at night to reveal more dim stars....?

Question

I have this idea. I have some Phenylephrine eye drops (the kind the the eye doctor uses to dilate your pupils so as to oberve the back of the retina), and plan on trying to star gaze after using the drops. The last time I remember using the eye drops was in broad daylight, and it made the sun a living hell to be under. So I figure, if my eyes are this sensitive to the light of day, I wonder how sensitive they would be to the distant light of stars. I live in a relatively poor viewing area, with light pollution (estimated a 6 on the bortle scale), and have often light trespass from other neighbors. So to keep my pupils dilated above average is difficult for me. I have already researched phenylephrine drug facts, and am aware of it's side effects and such, so I am going to give this a shot. I am not expecting it to reveal the shrouded milky way that is stolen by distant city lights, but to be able to make out m13 and lacerta which are invisible due to the limited magnitude is worth it.

Any comments/ ideas would be appreciated since this really isn't a question.

Answer 1

You have to understand first that dark adaptation is primarily a slow physiological change that takes 20minutes or longer to fully accomplish, while pupil dilation takes seconds.

The lesson here is that the effect of pupil aperture in dark adaptation is minimal compared to the retinal physiological changes.

Also, if you live in a light polluted region, any increase in brightness of the image also includes the brightness of the light pollution.

If you want a better view of the stars, go to dark site, and give money to the International Dark Sky Association so that dark sites will still exist in years to come.

Answer 2

It seems like a good idea, but messing with your eyes like that may not be so good.

If you want to see more stars, invest in a good pair of binoculars (even cheap ones will work). Or consider getting a telescope and using low magnification so you have a wider field of view.

Binoculars or a telescope will gather more light and allow you to see more stars. And they'll accomplish the task safely.

Answer 3

The darkness should cause your eyes to fully dilate without needing any other help. The drops are only needed to force them to dilate in the light, when they don't want to. Just shade your eyes with your hand or whatever if there is light trespass.

Answer 4

Rather than risk damaging your eyes (which could happen due to an accidental overdose or allergic reaction due to cumulatively increasing sensitivity) may I suggest using a tripod, a camera with a good lens system and leaving the aperture open a few minutes. The images you will get will be bright, clear, and you can show them to other people as well. Please don't risk your eyes.... Good luck!

Answer 5

First, as a doctor, I strongly advise that you not do this!
Second, the more dilated your eyes become, the less ability you have to focus (so that the stars could become a little brighter, but fuzzier). Why not just get a nice pair of binoculars?

Answer 6

it might be ok for a lil while like a few times but just think if you over dilate and get too sensative to light you could become like visualy impared and if too much gets in your system it could like become a permanant case now what if every one followed that too and there is so much in the bodies that the body like passes this on to yur kidds and they are now like blind in the light !! yes there are cases of children who can not see in the sun light so just use the normal scope tools and yu will be fine

Answer 7

Wow....good luck with that!

Answer 8

points!!