Dilation procedure

This may seem like a silly questions but after the scare I went through I'm not afraid to ask anything anymore. I just got checked for a retinal detachment (which came up negative) and I had my eyes dilated with my contacts in. Afterwards when the nurse discovered they were in she told me to take them out. Is that a problem? Would that have an affect on the eye in anyway or would it mess with the integrity of the series of test the Doctor did? Thanks and God Bless.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It will not hurt the eyes - but the drops could stay in the contact lenses (it would be difficult to rinse the dilating drops out of the contact lenses which can be rather absorbant if soft lens - not if hard or rgp lens.)  Really nothing to worry about really - just throw the lens away and start with a fresh pair if disposable.  If extended wear soft lens - you might ask the doctor to give you a free pair.

MJK MD