What is the purpose of having to get your eyes dilated at the eye doctor?

Answer 1

It opens the pupil, so that the doctor can get a better view of the inside of your eyeball.

Otherwise, the light that he needs to use in order to see these details would cause the pupil to squeeze shut.

Answer 2

It's so that the doctor can carefully examine all the important portions inside your eye. In order to do this and see the interior parts of the eye very clearly, the doctor needs to shine a light into the eye. Under regular conditions, the pupil of the eye gets smaller when a bright light hits the eye. The special drops he puts in the eye dilates the pupils, and keeps them fully open for awhile--this way, when he lights up the interior of the eye, the pupil remains fully dilated (open) and he can conduct his examination and make sure everything inside there is working the way it should be.

Answer 3

It allows the doctor to get a good look at the back of your eye. I had surgery for a detached retina and need to have my eye dilated for an exam every year.

Answer 4

Well as has been stated already, the purpose is to dilate the pupil so that the eye doctor can see directly into the eyeball. When looking into the eye, the examiner uses a fairly strong light which would normally cause the pupil to shrink to a small size and prevent the observation of the interior of the eyeball. Typically, after dilation, this light will cause your eyes to water during the actual examination and can be a bit uncomfortable.

There are a number of very important reasons why the interior of the eye should be checked though for most people, this need be done only infrequently. One main reason for this is to get a good look at the retina at the back of the eye where our light sensitive cells are situated. Retinal detachment is detected in this way. The doctor may also wish to see if there are many extraneous fibres called "floaters" moving around in the fluid that fills the eye. For most people these floaters are not a problem.

Damage to the optic nerve that leads from the retina to the brain can also be detected through direct obeservation. This is very important in the treatment and detection of glaucoma, particularily low-pressure glaucoma which is not detected by the usual test which consists of blasting a small puff of air at the eye to measure eye pressure. This is very important as low-pressure glaucoma does not cause pain as does the typical type of glaucoma. In fact low-pressure glaucoma generates a normal eye pressure reading based on eye pressure readings for the general population. Unfortunately what is normal eye pressure for the general population is dangerously high for the person with low-pressure glaucoma. Hence the only way to detect the low-pressure variety is to look at the optic nerve for damage. Undetected low-pressure glaucoma can blind a person before they actually experience any symptoms. If there is a history of glaucoma in your family, this should be mentioned to your optometrist or opthamologist. You may well be at risk, especially after age 40 or so. Regardless of your age however, a history in your family of any form of gluacoma should be reported to your optometrist or opthamologist so that they can monitor for this.

I might add that the eyes are so amazing that the optic nerve can sustain damage without actually impairing vision. It is a very redundant system with a lot of back up build in. So if your doctor tells you your optic nerve is damaged, take heart and speak to your opthamologist about what this actually means for your vision. Of course, if you do have any damage or you are told that you have glaucoma of any kind, see an opthamologist (eye surgeon) without delay. Drops are availble to lessen eye pressure and save your sight. If you are prescribed these, do take them. One main cause of blindness in people with glaucoma is that they are careless about taking their drops. The drops are usually taken once in the morning and once at night. Also in some cases, laser surgery is an option.

A last note. If you are to have your eyes dilated, the drops work for a number of hours at least and it is very advisable to wear dark sun glasses when you leave the optometrist's office as your eyes will be unable to accomodate to light. This is very important, especially on a sunny day, as you do not want to damage your retina with direct light. Also your ability to focus will be impaired until the drops wear off. Driving is not an option. Some offices supply free disposible dark glasses for this purpose if you ask. These are great as they are dark enough to really protect you. I re-use mine. Also ask about the glasses before you go for your appointment as many offices do not supply them, even eye surgeons. Then you will need your own. Such has been my experience.

Answer 5

It gives the doctor a better view of the inside of your eye for all kinds of things like floaters and retina damamge and tumor detection. The bigger the pupil,, the better the view. Kind of important, if you like your eyes I guess.

Answer 6

it helps keep the pupil open so the optomotrist can examine the eye more carefully.
hope that helps.

Answer 7

Hi To allow a larger hole for her to look at your retina through.

Answer 8

Is there a reason you couldn't just ask you doctor?

Answer 9

So you look shocked when have to pay the bill!