Feb
im 14, and yesterday around 3:50pm i got my eye dilated for the first time. now its 9:45 am the next day and they’re still dilated some and im getting a headache from the light - is this bad that they're still dilated some or is it a side affect for a first time?
Answer:
Because of your age, unfortunately the strongest drops must be used. Young people like yourself have a strong ability to “accommodate” with vision. Because of this, if drops are not strong enough to “knock out” the accommodation, the wrong prescription can be given. Adults don’t have to use drops that are as strong because they’ve usually already lost the capability to accommodate. Your dilation CAN last up to 72 hours but, usually your vision is back to normal sometime the next day. It is nothing to worry about. It is completely normal. I’m an Ophthalmic Technician. Hope this helps.
Answer:
It depends on the drops they gave you. If they gave you tropicamide the effect should only be 3-6 hours. If, however, they gave you something like cyclopentolate or atropine (which would be uncommon for a 14 year old without an eye infection), the effect can last for days.
However, there is also a type of glaucoma (called pupillary block glaucoma) that can show itself after dilation. Symptoms include pain, headache, blurry vision, nausea, & halos around lights. In this case the pressure gets so high in your eyes that it can cause you to permanently lose some vision pretty quickly.
Give your eye doctor's office a call and tell them about your symptoms. They’ll assist you further. If you can’t reach them and the headache persists, you might want to go to the ER just in case.
Answer:
Topical medications like tropicamide that produce mydriasis (dilated pupils) should wear off in 4-8 hours. I would call your ophthalmologist to ask what to do. In the meantime, avoid bright light and wear sunglasses.
Answer:
Have your parents call the eye doctor. Mine would always be better by the next am.