allergy to dilation drops?

[bunchel]

The last time that I had my eyes dilated, I experienced something like shock after the doctor put in the drops.  My vision was fuzzy, my head was ringing, I felt nauseated and like I couldn't move.  It went away after about 15 minutes and hasn't happened since (this was several years ago).  Is it possible to have an allergy to these drops that would cause symptoms like that?  (If not, I suppose I must have just been feeling faint for some other reason.)  Thanks for your help.

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

epinephrine is the same thing (for the purposes of dilating the eye) as neosynephrine. Usually 2.5% is well tolerated. Rarely is 10% used anymore.

JCH MD

[hwcrandall]

Today I went to the eye doctor & she dilated my eyes. I've had this once 6 or 7 years ago without a reaction. This time I immediately felt clammy, nauseous, then everything started to fade out. I was pretty sure I was about to pass out so I laid down on the floor of the office. When I got down there, I could no longer hear anything but myself speak. I'm guessing this isn't normal... what do you think?

[MsKimba]

I've had this happen too. I pass out and vomit every time my eyes get dilated. The doctor told me that they have another patient with the same issue. They didn't say it was an allergic reaction but something that had to do with the main nerve in my eye that reacted to the drops, like something wrong with it. Few people have this issue. This was a long time ago and iforget what they said it is called

[MsKimba]

I've had this happen too. I pass out and vomit every time my eyes get dilated. The doctor told me that they have another patient with the same issue. They didn't say it was an allergic reaction but something that had to do with the main nerve in my eye that reacted to the drops, like something wrong with it. Few people have this issue. This was a long time ago and iforget what they said it is called

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

There are only three drops used to routinely dilate eyes for exams:

1. Neosynephrine 2.5% and  10%   ONLY 2.5% SHOULD BE USED
2. tropicamide 0.5% or 1%
3. cyclogyl 0.5 or 1 or 2%

The most likely to cause problems is the cyclogyl    find out what drops are used and in future visits use a different drop or a weaker concentration.

JCH MD

[ME53]

I went in for an eye exam and they gave me 4-5 drops in each eye (some have said that was too many) and that evening I became extremely tired in a strange way and when I got up I was dizzy.  I have been dizzy ever since and that was over 1 week ago.  What should I do?