Question 1

are the eye drops that the optometrist uses prior to an eye exam safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes: These drops will dilate your pupil (make the black dot in the center of your eye bigger) so the eye doctor can see the retina and inside of your eye better.  Your eyes will be somewhat blurry and extra sensitive to light for a few hours after the exam, but it doesn't do any long-term harm.

Question 2

what are the eye drops optometrists use prior to an eye exam? what effect does it have on your eyes?

Accepted Answer

Several drops: Optometrists are allowed to administer eyedrops due to legislative lobbying.  Best to see an ophthalmologist who might use drops to numb the eye for certain tests and other drops to dilate the pupil for the best retinal examination.  These will cause some change in the focus and light sensitivity but this is short term.

Question 3

how can whiten my eyes without surgery and decongestants eye drops.had an eye exam my eyes are perfect.just the color that bothers me?

Accepted Answer

Use artificial tears: Reddening and irritation are often related to drying of the eyes. Prolonged computer work can also cause it as the blink rate goes down. Take a break every hour or two. Use artificial tears 3-4 times a day. Stay away from Visine or other decongestant drops. They can make the problem worse.

Question 4

we took our 8 month old son for routine eye exam thursday morning. cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) eye drops were used at 11 am. its saturday and his eyes are still dilated?

Accepted Answer

Contact eye doc: This medication will generally dilate the eyes for up to 36 hours in kids. Persistence after that point is unusual but may deserve a call to your eye doc's answering service. Your kid is likely a bit more sensitive to the drug than some & this all may disappear within a few more hours.

Question 5

i had lasik three months ago,some flaoters has appered, two weeks ago i have eye exam(to check cause of floaters) and get some dilation eye drops and since then i started have starbrusts,halos increased, like rays come from lights,it's 16 days now?

Accepted Answer

: See the ophthalmologic surgeon who performed the "Lasix" operation, who may refer you to another eye physician for a diagnosis.

Question 6

just had dilated eye exam + several "freezing" eyedrops. sinuses, eyelids feel heavy. normal? numbing/freezing drops used maybe 4 times every 15min

Accepted Answer

Short term effects: The numbing drops used principally for the measurement of intraocular pressure (glaucoma check) will lose the numbness in under 10 minutes.  The dilating drops can last from 2-20 hours depending upon the type used.  If you still have symptoms the next day, then call your ophthalmologist for advice.

Question 7

can steroid eye drops cause effects of nausea or feeling faint?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: The amount of steroid that is absorbed systemically from eyedrops is not going to affect how you feel systemically except in response to how the condition in your eyes is responding to the steroid application.  If you have persistent nausea or faintness, then check with your family doctor for further diagnosis.

Question 8

optometrist diagnosed me w/mild keratitis & faint corneal scar.my key symptom: nonstop dry eye even after 1-wk antibiotic drops. opthalmologist away for several weeks.in the meantime, how often can i use otc lubricating eye drops? warm compresses ok?

Accepted Answer

: If artificial tears eye drop and warm compress relieve the irritation you can use them as often as you want to when waiting for the ophthalmologist's appointment.

Question 9

which eye drops are used for dilating eyes for eye exams?

Accepted Answer

Several: There are several.  The most common are phenylephrine, tropicamide, and cyclopentolate. The duration of effect varies.  Dilation must be done with caution because it could precipitate an attack of high pressures in certain eyes causing permanent damage.  Your doctor will look for this risk prior to dilating

Question 10

18 yr old female. since a nap 2 hours ago, i have been getting sudden short bursts of faintness above my eyes 5-10 times a min. what's going on?

Accepted Answer

Faint: Do you mean pain? Or. Dizzy ?  Drink some Gatorade and see if it helps.

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Doctor answers about:

Fainting from eye drops at dilating eye exam

A member asked:

Are the eye drops that the optometrist uses prior to an eye exam safe?

A member asked:

What are the eye drops optometrists use prior to an eye exam? what effect does it have on your eyes?

A member asked:

How can whiten my eyes without surgery and decongestants eye drops.had an eye exam my eyes are perfect.just the color that bothers me?

A member asked:

We took our 8 month old son for routine eye exam thursday morning. cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) eye drops were used at 11 am. its saturday and his eyes are still dilated?

A member asked:

I had lasik three months ago,some flaoters has appered, two weeks ago i have eye exam(to check cause of floaters) and get some dilation eye drops and since then i started have starbrusts,halos increased, like rays come from lights,it's 16 days now?

A member asked:

Just had dilated eye exam + several "freezing" eyedrops. sinuses, eyelids feel heavy. normal? numbing/freezing drops used maybe 4 times every 15min

A member asked:

Can steroid eye drops cause effects of nausea or feeling faint?

A member asked:

Optometrist diagnosed me w/mild keratitis & faint corneal scar.my key symptom: nonstop dry eye even after 1-wk antibiotic drops. opthalmologist away for several weeks.in the meantime, how often can i use otc lubricating eye drops? warm compresses ok?

A member asked:

Which eye drops are used for dilating eyes for eye exams?

A member asked:

18 yr old female. since a nap 2 hours ago, i have been getting sudden short bursts of faintness above my eyes 5-10 times a min. what's going on?

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