Dilated Eye Exam and Fundus Examination: Introducing a Video

When the pupil is dilated with eye drops for a fundus examination, you stay sensitive to glare for 4–5 hours.
But advances in ophthalmic imaging technology have removed that inconvenience.

You can even drive home after a fundus examination.

[1 min 53 sec video]

Diabetic retinopathy detected by a dilated eye exam(What a dilated eye exam can show)

• “A comprehensive dilated eye exam: the first step in preventing blindness”
• By dilating the pupil and observing the whole fundus, the doctor can detect signs of diabetic retinopathy.
• With the pupil dilated by eye drops, the doctor can see the back of the eye clearly: the retina, optic nerve, and macula.
• In early diabetic retinopathy, small spots called microaneurysms are seen.
Fluid can leak from the blood vessels of a microaneurysm and collect in the retina, which can reduce vision.
• If new blood vessels grow and bleed, it leads to serious loss of vision.
• People with diabetes are at risk of having developed diabetic retinopathy.
• A dilated exam lets the doctor detect subtle changes in the fundus.
• For people aged 60 and over, it is important to have a fundus examination once a year.
• If there is any abnormality in the way you see, it is also important to consult an eye doctor early.
• People thought to be at higher risk, such as by race, age, or family history (a family member with an eye disease), are recommended to have a fundus examination at least once a year.

National Eye Institute, NIH

About 20 minutes after instilling the dilating drops: the pupil is dilated.
Using a slit-lamp microscope and a front lens, the ophthalmologist observes the retina and vitreous three-dimensionally with both eyes.

[Diseases that require a fundus examination]
Diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear, retinal detachment, uveitis, iritis, age-related macular degeneration, macular edema, cataract, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, high myopia, retinopathy of prematurity,
after the eye has been hit (eye injury),floaters　and others.

* Sudden decrease in vision, an increase in floaters, or after the eye has been hit: a fundus examination is needed as early as possible.
○ A fundus examination without dilating the pupilcan also be performed.

You also no longer need to schedule it around days such as:
• Days when you do not need to drive
• Days with no important plans afterward
• Days when you have time to spare

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