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.

[JohnHaganMD]

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[hhs1959lrc1992]

I am allergic to dilating drops and had to have cataract surgery.  They used the weakest drops, but had to use them 3 times.  I live 1 1/2 hours from the doctor's office and by that afternoon my head, neck, face, and eye was in severe pain.  The doctor called to check on me and I ask him if I could take benedryl and he said yes.  I took it for a couple days and everything cleared up.  When I go back for my second eye surgery, I will take my benedryl before leaving the doctor's office.  

Strange, but my sister is also allergic to the dilating drops.  I have dry eye syndrome and have my blood taken and a compounding pharmacy makes my eye drops for moisture.  What a blessing.....  Allergies are a real pain to deal with, but can be deadly.....

[podww]

Most of the comments above talk about an allergic reaction such as dizziness, nausea, fainting etc.    However I wonder if I have had an allergic reaction because the blurriness that the eye drops caused not gone away.   It is now 2 months later and my eyes are still blurred and I can't read things that I used to be able to 2 months ago e.g. emails/texts on my phone.    Has anyone heard of this kind of reaction to eyedrops used to test for diabetes?

[Luvtoski]

I am sorry that I don't have any suggestions for dizziness, as I never really felt dizzy post dilation drops.
Good luck, and perhaps someone else will post their suggestions and experiences.

[ME53]

Thank you for that advice.  I did call and get all the information and had them put this  on their records.  This is a new thing to me because we usually get the retina pictures instead of dilation.  However, now that I am dizzy, do you have any suggestions to relieve this dizziness???

[Luvtoski]

I had many Retina sp./ eye dr. visits the past 2 years and I finally "took control" and asked that my eyes NOT be dilated each visit unless absolutely necessary.

I told them I wanted to minimize the amount of chemicals that were put in my eyes and it didn't matter to me how the techs made it sound like these chemicals were basically like water and had no effects.  Sorry, but I wasn't buying that.  Chemicals are chemicals.

Anyways, found out that in my case the dilation was not necessary each visit so they agreed to either do an exam without the drops, or to use the mildest drops they had.  (see Dr. Hagans drop suggestions above)

I also had the eye pressure test with a tonopen done without the numbing drop and didn't feel a thing....so one less chemical in my eyes.

My advice is to ask BEFORE the tech puts the eye drops in...slow things down (as they grab them so fast you cannot even see the bottles). Have them tell you first exactly what drops and what concentrations they are using on you and write them down for your records !  If they say they use a higher concentration than what the MINIMUM Dr. Hagan mentioned, challenge them and ask if the higher concentration is necessary.  I found that in every case the lower concentration was acceptable for them to use on me and worked everytime.  They sometimes get used to using a higher concentration as the "norm" just to simplify their process, but not always in the patients best interest.
Finally, YOU AS THE PATIENT, HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW THE CHEMICALS THEY ARE USING IN YOUR EYES.  Shame on the offices that won't give you that information---don't give up.  

[linaluz]

I agree completely with this, and I had been more insistent when they gave me drops a few days ago.  I had asked what they were, and the side effects were, but the technician refused to tell me and said the only side effect would light sensitivity for a few days.  But not in my case - I had heart palpitations that night, and woke up in the morning with pain and stiffness all down my legs, and inflamed achilles tendon, and tingling throughout my body, as well as a headache and extremely sensitive eyes.  Four days later and the effects have not changed much.  I´m seeing my GP today and will ask her to contact the eye doctor.