Dr. Devon Ghodasra, Southeastern Retina Associates; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical SocietyQ: Do I have to get my eyes dilated when going to the eye doctor?
A: Dilating your eyes involves placing drops to relax the iris (the colored part of your eyes) and open the pupil, allowing your eye doctor to examine the retina (the light-sensing tissue on the back, inner surface of the eye). A thorough dilated examination is an important part of a complete eye exam. Dilation is necessary to detect eye conditions such as macular degeneration, retinal detachment and glaucoma.
People in good health and under 40 years of age may not need dilated exams every year. It is important, however, for everyone to get one dilated baseline exam and one at least every few years if no other conditions are found. Some eye doctors may offer undilated retinal scanning, in which a widefield digital image of the retina is acquired to screen for retinal diseases.
Patients complaining of symptoms suspicious for retinal problems, however, should receive a complete dilated eye exam. Annual dilated eye exams are also critical in patients with certain diseases such as diabetes. While dilation may be a nuisance, causing temporary blurry vision and difficulty focusing lasting a few hours, it is a small investment for the long-term health of your eyes.
– Dr. Devon Ghodasra, Southeastern Retina Associates; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society