Why We Dilate Your Eyes — Looking through a bigger window

At Eyecare Center of Orange County, Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has cared for patients for more than three decades. Trained at Bascom Palmer, board certified, and trusted by more than ten thousand Orange County patients since nineteen ninety one.

The pupil is the only way to see inside your eye. Undilated, it is like examining a room through a keyhole.

Retinal tears and many early changes sit right at the far edge of the retina, which is exactly the part a small pupil hides.

The drops take about twenty minutes to work. Close work goes blurry and light feels bright, and it wears off over a few hours.

Bring sunglasses. Most people are able to drive afterwards, but bright light is uncomfortable, so bring someone with you if you would prefer.

Ask us whether you are due a dilated examination. It is the difference between looking through a keyhole and looking through a window.