A dilated eye exam is a part of your regular comprehensive yearly checkup at Chicago My Optical. It is recommended to come in to see our
Niles Township eye doctor once per year to not only determine your current level of vision and whether or not you need new or updated prescription lenses, but also to check the parts of your eyes and to screen you for the most common eye diseases. Many times, these diseases do not present any noticeable symptoms, particularly in their early stages.
Eye Disease Testing 60714
A dilated eye exam allows our
Niles Township eye doctor to see your retinas, which are at the back of your eyes, and find out if there are any concerns or abnormalities. It starts with eye drops, used to dilate your pupils. When they are widened, it is easier to see to the back of your eye. While it does not hurt, the eye drops may sting. Some people also experience a medicine taste in their mouth, but this is not dangerous of anything that should worry you. After your eyes are fully dilated (about 15 to minutes), a bright light will be used to see the back of your eyes. A dilated eye exam is perfectly safe, but if you have glaucoma or a family history of it (or if you have an allergy to eye drops of any kind), you should mention it ahead of time.
After the exam, your vision will be blurry and this can last for several hours, so you should plan to have someone drive you, take public transportation, or have enough time to let the effects wear off before you get back behind the wheel. Otherwise, you should be able to go about your normal routine right afterward, just being aware that your eyes will be sensitive for a while. It is a good idea to wear sunglasses when outdoors. A dilated eye exam is a part of everyone’s yearly eye exam, but it is especially important if you are diabetic because diabetic retinopathy is a disease that all diabetics are at risk for. Therefore, it is even more essential for our
Niles Township eye doctor to see your retinas clearly.
By Chicago My Optical
April 21, 2014
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