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Astoria Vision Center

Located on the corner of Marine Drive and 3rd Street

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Located on the corner of Marine Drive and 3rd Street

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Home » Eye Care Services » Your Eye Health » Eye Exams » Common Tests » Eye Dilation

Eye Dilation

A truly comprehensive eye exam almost always includes eye dilation—the addition of special eye drops that “open up” the pupil at the front of the eyeball. This allows for a maximum amount of light to enter the eyeball, giving your eye doctor the best possible visibility during a variety of specific eye tests.

Eye dilation is common during an eye exam after preliminary testing of visual acuity, pressure testing, and any vision-correction measurements have been taken. Your eyes are dilated using special drops, by far the most effective way to examine the structures inside the eye, and the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye.

Most eyecare professionals agree: eye dilation is a critical component of a comprehensive eye exam, and vital to the detection of symptoms of eye disease like macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, cataracts and more.

Anything else I should know?

Having your eyes dilated doesn’t hurt—it just feels a little strange. Your pupil at the front of your eye automatically adjusts to light intensity, closing when light is more intense, and opening in lower lighting conditions—much like an automatic camera adjusts to take photos indoors or outdoors.

The drops used to dilate your eyes don’t wear off immediately, that’s why it’s recommended you bring sunwear with you to a comprehensive eye exam. And if you’re driving, you may want to consider having a friend with you to help you drive home, or assist you if you feel slightly disoriented.

(Remember, your eyes won’t automatically adjust to changing light conditions until the drops wear off.)

Can I have an eye exam without having my eyes dilated?

In short, yes. Most vision screenings done at a pediatrician’s office, health clinic or community health organizations don’t include eye dilation. But these basic vision tests cannot help you diagnose eye disease, and are certainly no substitute for a regular and thorough eye exam from a qualified eyecare professional.

Most eye doctors will tell you with very few exceptions, dilated eyes mean the best possible eye exam environment.

 

Special thanks to the EyeGlass Guide, for informational material that aided in the creation of this website. Visit the EyeGlass Guide today!

NOTICE TO OUR PATIENTS

In response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we understand that your health is your main concern. To ensure safe visits to our office for our patients as well as a safe work environment for our staff, we have implemented heightened cleaning regimens.

We ask that:

If you have an appointment scheduled and have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, sore throat, cough, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and/or pneumonia in both lungs), or you have been in contact with anyone with those symptoms, please call us to reschedule.

When visiting our office, please help keep the environment as safe as possible for our other patients as we do have many elderly patients who are at increased risk should they contract the COVID-19 virus. You may do this by keeping your distance, washing/sanitizing your hands, and coughing/sneezing into your elbow.

We are committed to doing our part to stop the spread of this virus.

Thank you for your cooperation.