What is a dilation test?

[worried784]

My side vision flickers/flashes at times and when I asked the eye doctor about it he said I have to have a dilation test. What does that consist of, and is it safe?  All he said was they put drops in my eyes and afterwards my vision will be blurry.  Will my vision go back to normal?  More importantly, what is this movement on the side of my eyes from and is it dangerous?  What does this test reveal?  Thank you to whoever answers, I hope I explained correctly what I am experiencing.  It is very scary.  Thank you.

[AnnaE]

I am not a doctor. I am a community leader, and an eye patient.

You need an eye MD, like Dr. Hagan, who answered your question. Find one at www.aao.org.

Dilation does not hurt. Your eyes will be a little light sensitive for a few hours, but there will be no long term effects. The doctor uses various lens and a telescope-like instrument. He rarely puts anything in your eyes and there is normally no pain.

Dr. Hagan will review this post.

Welcome to our eye care community.

Write again if you have questions.

[worried784]

Thank you so much for your answer.  The doctor is an optomotrist, is he qualified?
What happens after the drops are put in my eyes?  How does he examine my eyes?
Will I be able to see, and will the drops affect my sight afterwards?  (For the long haul?)
I am a very nervous anxious person, but treasure my eyes and don't want to do anything  that will harm them.

Also, I recently started beta blockers for a heart rate problem as well as prehypertension.
Will the meds affect this test?

Again, thank you so much for your answer.  I am so glad someone that knows about these things answered me, thank you.

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

Dilation (making bigger) of the pupils is done to give a better exam of the inner eye. The drops are safe and generally wear off over 1-3 hours. The tests are to determine what is causing your flashes/flickers especially to be sure you do not have a torn or detached retina.

Be sure the "doctor" you are seeing has a MD after his/her name and is a Eye MD ophthalmologist physician.

JCH III MD