Would dilating my eyes have effected the results of my test?!
Question: I had an eye exam for new contacts yesterday morning and the woman doing the exam (which I'm still not sure was the doctor) rushed me through my exam and insisted on dilating my eyes before the exam. I was concerned about this because I have had glasses/contacts my whole life and have had exams every year and they never dilated me BEFORE they tested my eyes. I asked her if it would effect my prescription and she assured me that it wouldn't. I got fitted for new lenses and left. Now that the dilation has gone away my vision is worse than it was with the old contacts.
Would the dilation have effected the results of my test?
Answers: I had an eye exam for new contacts yesterday morning and the woman doing the exam (which I'm still not sure was the doctor) rushed me through my exam and insisted on dilating my eyes before the exam. I was concerned about this because I have had glasses/contacts my whole life and have had exams every year and they never dilated me BEFORE they tested my eyes. I asked her if it would effect my prescription and she assured me that it wouldn't. I got fitted for new lenses and left. Now that the dilation has gone away my vision is worse than it was with the old contacts.
Would the dilation have effected the results of my test?
There used to be some controversy over this -- it's generally accepted now that dilation is done after refraction.
Affect the results of the test? Maybe, yes. Post-dilation refraction will often be 0.25 diopters more positive than before. People that do it routinely may subtract .25 from their actual results.
This wasn't good enough for you, and you have to go back for a recheck. If the doctor really bugged you, ask to see someone else for the recheck.
yes, it does affect your vision. thats why they won't dilate your eyes if you are driving yourself, they want someone else to drive you home.
No, usually dilating the eyes takes away accommodation. The ability for you to try to focus your eyes on the chart. Generally it is a better exam. Usually not a good idea to do the contact fit right after the dilated exam though. The only affect on your vision will be light sensitivity for awhile and reading until they wear off.
That was probably your doctors office girl that did the examination. She doesn't know what she is doing.