{"id":1272,"date":"2022-12-21T12:51:26","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T17:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1272"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:30","slug":"how-long-does-eye-dilation-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/how-long-does-eye-dilation-last","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Eye Dilation Last?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When an optometrist dilates your eyes, it can take a while to wear off\u2014usually between 4 to 24 hours. During that time, your vision may be blurry, and your eyes will be quite sensitive to light. How long these effects last depends on the condition of your eyes and the strength of the dilating drops administered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s look closer at the reasoning behind dilating your eyes, how long it takes for dilation to wear off, and what you should and shouldn\u2019t do after your eyes have been dilated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Dilated Eye Exam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A dilated eye exam is part of the health assessment that an optometrist or an ophthalmologist<\/a> typically performs during a comprehensive eye exam<\/a>. Dilating the eyes makes the pupil larger to allow the doctor to view the back of the eye more easily. They\u2019ll then check for any irregularities or problems that affect the eye’s health and the patient’s vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Pupil Dilation Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Typically, your pupil regulates how much light enters your eye. It gets smaller when light increases and opens when light decreases. But the pupil itself doesn\u2019t grow or shrink\u2014its size is controlled by the muscles in the iris (the colored part of your eye) that encircles it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To dilate your pupils, the optometrist<\/a> will place dilating eye drops into your eyes. These drops contain a chemical that keeps your iris from making your pupil smaller. The eye doctor typically uses two types of dilating drops during this process\u2014one makes the pupil larger, and the other relaxes the muscles in the eye that help you focus. These both allow the optometrist a wider \u201cwindow\u201d to look through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes between 20 to 30 minutes for the pupils to dilate. Once the eyes are dilated, your eye doctor will examine the interior of your eye using an optical microscope (a lighted microscope built specifically for examining eyes). It creates a magnified image for the optometrist so they can better see the surface of your retina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do You Need a Dilated Eye Exam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dilation is important because it helps eye doctors identify eye issues that are challenging to see otherwise. In particular, it increases the optometrist’s ability to see the retina. They can then look for signs of eye disorders and diseases<\/a> such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, glaucoma<\/a>, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dilation can be a crucial part of your check-up because if these eye conditions go untreated, they can negatively affect your vision and even lead to blindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Need\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Need an eye exam?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Schedule with one of our optometrists today.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tBook an appointment <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
\n\n\n\n

How Long Do Eyes Stay Dilated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It typically takes around 4 to 24 hours for eye dilation to wear off completely. This duration varies depending on a few factors, which include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n