Can eye damage happen if I do not use sunglasses after having my eyes dilated?
APR 26, 2016
Question:
Can eye damage happen if I do not use sunglasses after having my eyes dilated?
Answer:
Strictly speaking, eye damage can occur in anyone: dilated or not. Ultraviolet and other electromagnetic rays enter the eye all of the time. The pupil is a hole in the iris controlled by two muscles which widen the pupil in the dark or constrict (makes smaller) the pupil in bright light. Using dilating drops to dilate (or widen) your pupils allows the ophthalmologist to examine the inside of the eye thoroughly and detect or rule out disease. Bright sunlight can be temporarily blinding if your eyes’ pupils can’t constrict. Use your common sense and do not become a hazard to yourself or others.