Dilated Eye Exam: Why Your Pupils Are Dilated and What to Expect
Quick answer: In a dilated eye exam, drops widen the pupils so the clinician can see the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels at the back of the eye. It helps detect diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma damage, retinal tears and macular disease. Vision is usually blurry up close and sensitive to light for about 4 to 6 hours, so bring sunglasses and avoid driving until your vision is clear.
Noticed this in your own eyes? Book an eye examination (NPR 400) with an optometrist at Vision Concern Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal or Makalbari. WhatsApp +977 9841466716.
Related service: Diabetic eye screening at Vision Concern Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal and Makalbari.
Why dilation is used
A normal pupil is small, giving only a narrow view inside the eye. Dilating it gives a much wider, clearer view of the retina and optic nerve. It is recommended for people with diabetes, new floaters or flashes, high myopia, family history of glaucoma, unexplained vision loss and for many children’s eye exams.
What to expect
- Drops sting briefly and take 20 to 30 minutes to work
- Near vision becomes blurry and light feels bright
- Effects usually last 4 to 6 hours, longer in light-coloured eyes and children
- Bring sunglasses and someone to drive you if possible
Is it safe?
Dilation is very safe for most people. Rarely, in eyes with narrow drainage angles, it can trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma, which causes severe eye pain, headache, nausea, redness and blurred vision with haloes. This needs emergency care.
When to get urgent care
After dilation, seek emergency care if you develop severe eye pain, headache with nausea or vomiting, red eye, or blurred vision with coloured haloes around lights.
How Vision Concern can help
Vision Concern optometrists in Kathmandu can examine your eyes, record what they find for comparison, update your glasses or contact lenses, and refer you to an ophthalmologist or eye hospital when medical treatment is needed. Vision Concern does not perform surgery or injections.
Frequently asked questions
How long does pupil dilation last?
Usually 4 to 6 hours, sometimes up to a day in children or people with light eyes.
Can I drive after a dilated eye exam?
It is safer not to drive until your vision is clear and glare has settled.
Is a dilated exam needed every time?
Not always. How often you need one depends on your age, health and risk factors such as diabetes.
This guide is general information from the Vision Concern editorial team. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an eye examination or medical advice.
Yes. Many visitors, particularly from Bangladesh and West Bengal (Kolkata), come to Nepal for cataract, retina, or other eye surgery at a hospital and also want new glasses, a general eye exam, or contact lenses at the same time, before or after their procedure. Vision Concern is an optical and eye-examination clinic, not a surgical hospital, so we work alongside hospitals such as Tilganga: we are happy to see you for glasses, contact lenses, or a routine check-up either side of your surgical treatment elsewhere.
No conversion is needed. Eyeglass prescriptions from Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Russia, and almost every other country use the same international format, SPH (sphere), CYL (cylinder), and AXIS, measured in diopters. Our opticians read this directly, so you can bring your prescription paper, a photo of it on your phone, or simply your current glasses, and we will use the same values. If your prescription is more than a year or two old, we recommend a quick, free re-check before we make your new pair.
Yes. Above roughly 3,000 metres, UV exposure increases sharply because of the thinner atmosphere and reflection off snow, and ordinary sunglasses (category 2-3) do not block enough UV to prevent snow blindness (photokeratitis). We recommend glacier glasses or category-4 sunglasses with side shields, and can fit these with your own prescription if needed. Vision Concern offers ZEISS polarized, UV400-certified sunglasses with prescription lenses, which we can prepare before you set off on your trek.