A question about eye exams and dilating the eyes?

Question

Okay, a few days ago, I went to a new company (VisionWorks) I haven't been to before, to get some contacts. I've worn them for a year or two now, and it's required for me to get a new prescription to get some more, of course. I wore my contacts there...had a field vision test with them in, then took them out and had the regular eye exam. I was 5.25 in the right eye and 5.50 in the left eye for like a year with my previous contacts. Part way through the test, the doctor wanted to test and see how I did with 5.75 in both eyes. I put those in...it was a little blurry. Held up two little lenses in front of my eyes with the 5.75 contacts in and said, "This should make them 5.50." It looked a lot clearer. Back out of the room I went...I got 5.50's for each eye that time. The test went very well, but he asked if it was a good time to have my eyes dilated. I didn't want to do it on that day, and I don't remember that being a 'requirement.' It wasn't when I got my other contacts.

Answer 1

You should call the office and see if the dilation is part of the exam fee because it varies. At the office i work at, dilation was a part of the exam fee up until Feb of this past year and it is now an additional $10.  Getting your eyes dilated is very important and is generally recommended to be done every year or every two years for patients with good eye health.  However, dilation is usally optional, whether it's part of the exam fee or not.  The visual field test is just a test for glaucoma while with dilation, the doctor will be able to get a good look at the health of the back of your eyes and be able to check for signs of macular degeneration, retinal detachment, retinal tears, cataracts, glaucoma, along with other health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.  hope this helps!

Answer 2

Dilation isn't mandatory, but you should get it done.  I don't understand why people get all wound up about it.  You have big pupils and can't read for a couple hours.  Big deal.  And I'm sure you wouldn't mind it if your doctor found a tumor growing in there, or a detachment that wasn't giving you any symptoms (yet).

On a side note, any optometrist who charges extra for a dilation is a moron.  It should be part of an eye exam.  Why don't you charge extra for tonometry?  Or cover test?  Or confrontation fields?

Answer 3

dilating actually is helping to save my eyes. It's very useful and hardly imposing on your daily life. I have accomodative spasms and i finally went to an eye doctor who was prepared to do something about it. All my other eye doctors said since my prescription was perpetually changing they would say i don't have a prescription i just needed to work it out. Anyways i went to a new Doctor and she dilated my pupils, determined my prescription which was actually pretty bad and should have required glasses and gave me exercises to do so now I'm a happy visually pleased camper. It's a really good way to really ensure your getting your best prescription and anything like spasms and stuff can be sorted out.

sunglasses after is all i can say, don't drive home and don't count on reading haha.

Answer 4

Dilation is used to to check the retinas for any sign of detachment.  It's very necessary and I actually have to get mine dilated twice a year because i have a -14.25 and -16.00.  Be sure to wear sunglasses afterwards when driving home.  You will be very sensitive to light.