Dilated Eye Examination

During a dilated eye examination your eye healthcare professional will administer eye drops into each of your eyes, which will dilate (widen) your pupils. This allows them to look at your retina at the back of your eye for any changes or damage, which may suggest you have an eye condition.

The drops usually take about 20-30 minutes to take effect and will cause blurry vision and increased sensitivity to bright light. These effects last for a few hours, so you should not drive yourself to an appointment where you might have a dilated eye exam, and it can be helpful to bring sunglasses to wear afterwards.