Dilation and numbing drops

[Luvtoski]

Dear Dr. Hagan,
Can a Retina Specialist see the back of the eye at all with a slit lamp exam IF the eye wasn't dilated?

I am 7 months post Cataract surgery in Left eye, and 1 1/2 years post ERM/Vitrectomy in Left eye.  I don't seem to be having any problems but I am scheduled to go in next week for another OCT test (they do without dilating eye)/

I mostly just want to monitor my retina swelling, which has stabilized as of about 8 months post ERM surgery.  I am still averaging about 375 in the center, but the Retina Surgeon thinks it might stay there at this point.

MY QUESTION IS:
Is it wise to limit the amount of times one has their eyes dilated and numbed with chemicals ?

I sure don't want to risk any damage to either eye with chemicals , after going thru all of this surgery.

I REALLY value your opinion Dr. Hagan and appreciate your opinion as to whether there is a risk to over dilating.

[Luvtoski]

Thank you Dr. Hagan for yet another thoughtful answer.  
You spend a great deal of time helping us "strangers" and WE APPRECIATE IT !!!!!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. No there is no harm from frequent dilation of the pupils and the only problem with numbing the eye is that people have to be careful not to rub the eye or use a tissue and blot the eye with the eye opened as the tissue can touch the cornea and scratch it without the person feeling it. Lastly people with dry eyes are often uncomfortable post dilation because of drying. We have our dry eye patients use artifical tears every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours after they return home from the dilated exam.