I'm due for an eye exam. I'm extremely nervous about the drops that numb the eye & dilate the pupils. Especially since I suffer migraines & panic attacks.

Is this test easy, safe or very uncomfortable?

hiya I have worked in the optical industry for 23 years, and the onlytime i have heard of opticians dilating the pupil is if you are suffering certain problems, not for things like migraines etc, that could be due to the fact that you need spectacles updating etc. I have had my pupils dilated myself, as i were suffering with problems, it did sting a little bit, and obviously the light is a bit annoying when you walk outside, remember also that it affects your vision so you wont be able to drive etc.

Hey\

\Don't worry about the drops that numb the eye & dilate the pupils

It's harmless, I've had it done to me several times

Basically your eye vision gets a little blurry and your eyes fleel strange

It should all go away within 2 days, The drops are harmless

As i've said...Don't worry about it!

You'll be able to drive if you have a pair of sunglasses.

I share your anxiety about having anyone put drops in my eyes, or that puff of air thing they do to check the pressure. Sometimes I'm able to convince them to let me put the drops in myself, but other times they won't because of liability.
The anti-dialation drops really burn my eyes (probably because my eyes are so dry), so I prefer not to have them. But I had to be really insistent to not have them because the doctor was sure it was better that way. Maybe it is for most, but not for me.

Hey\

\Don't worry about the drops that numb the eye & dilate the pupils

It's harmless, I've had it done to me several times

Basically your eye vision gets a little blurry and your eyes fleel strange

It should all go away within 2 days, The drops are harmless

As i've said...Don't worry about it!

Actually I've had mine dilated several times and in a few hours they went back to normal. My last exam they wanted to dilate them. I agree'ed not knowing the potential problems. Now 21 hours later they are still fully dilated. I can't see at all up close wearing glasses. I can see fair long distance but even with sunglasses can't stand the outdoor light. Since most of my work is on the computer I can't see at all up close with glasses, if I take them off at certain distances I can see but most of what I'm looking at is blurry. Maybe being over 40 has something to do with it but there should be some warning that you may go days without your pupils going back to normal. Yes I'm able to type this message, I was searching the internet for someone who may have had the same problem, I just have to place my nose about 1 ft in front of the screen. It's hard to go days off work because you can't see, hopfully my vision will return but I'll never allow dilation again!

..but I'll never allow dilation again!

That would be a mistake.

I have glaucoma and a cataract and have to go to the opthamalogist 3 times a year. Once a year I get dilated and do a bunch of tests. The worst thing is when he shines the light in my eyes. That is uncomfortable. But that is it. I am 52 so I don't think age has anything to do with it. Godbless:angel:

Marcie, Squatchimo can correct me if I'm wrong, but the numbing drops and the dilating drops are two different things. Maybe you will be getting both, and maybe not.
The numbing drops are used if the IOP test is the kind where the machine touches your eye, and not the air puff kind. The air machine doesn't require you to have numbing drops. Is that right, S.?

It takes people varying lengths of time for their pupils to get back to normal. The majority would be within 24 hrs.