People who are highly nearsighted are more prone to retinal detachment and require dilation to identify retinal breaks. Dilated eye examination is necessary for anyone who has recently had trauma to the head or eye and those experiencing flashes of light, floaters, or a curtain effect in their vision. Certain health and ocular considerations may contraindicate pupil dilation. Ocular anatomy, allergies, and certain medications may present a risk in pupil dilation. Optometric physicians carefully evaluate all risk factors prior to pupil dilation.
Mydriatic drops are the class of drugs typically used.
Chemical names for mydriatics include phenylephrine hydrochloride, hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide, and tropicamide. Special circumstances require compounds known as cycloplegics to be used. Chemical names of the cycloplegic drops are atropine, cyclopentolate, homatropine, and scopolamine. Mydriatic are fast acting compounds and dilation of the pupil occurs in 20 to 45 minutes. Patients with light-colored eyes dilate faster than those with dark eyes.