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Date issued: September 2023

Review date: September 2025

Ref: C-548/MS/Ophthalmology/Dilating drops

PDF:  Dilating drops final September 2023.pdf [pdf] 206KB

Driving: we strongly advise that you do not drive on the day of your appointment at the Eye Clinic

Can anyone safely have these drops?

With most patients these are perfectly safe. However, it is right to be cautious with all medicines so do tell your clinic nurse if:

• You know you have had an allergic reaction to dilating drops in the past

• You are taking regular medicines which have changed since you last came to clinic

• You are pregnant

Do dilator drops have any other effects?

Further effects from use of common dilating eye drops are rare. If after reading this leaflet you experience other side effects, or have specific

concerns, do contact a staff member in eye clinic, Emergency Eye Centre or pharmacy (contact details are on the back page of this leaflet).

About dilating drops

Dilating drops are used in all areas of ophthalmology.

Their main use is to dilate (widen) the pupil (dark centre of the eye).

The drops are used so that clinicians can have a clear view of the back of your eye. This helps with diagnosis and/or monitoring of your eye condition.

When might I have the drops?

The need to have dilating drops before your consultation is a routine part of ophthalmic services at

STH for example:

• Attending medical retina clinic

• Attending vitreo-retinal (VR) clinic

• Before an eye test for children

• For photography of the back of the eye

• Before laser treatment

• Any other procedure or examination where staff are guided to do so by local clinic protocol

How are the drops given?

A member of the ophthalmic staff trained in the use of such medicines will instill (give) the eye drops into one or both of your eyes.

You may also require eye drops in addition to the dilating drops, depending on the investigation or the kind of treatment you are having.

How will I feel when I have the drops?

Most eye drops will sting when they are first instilled but this will wear off after a few seconds. If the drops continue to irritate your eye then please let the nurse or doctor know.

As eye drops drain away with tears you may also taste the drops at the back of your throat.

It may be necessary to repeat the drops in order to make sure that your pupil is sufficiently dilated.

Will the eye drops affect my sight?

Yes, whilst your pupils are dilated you may experience the following:

Sensitivity to bright light. This is because the pupil is temporarily unable to constrict (close) as it would normally. This can be relieved by wearing sunglasses or by staying out of bright light.

Blurred vision. Dilating drops temporarily disable the small muscles controlling the eye's ability to focus. This may result in a temporary blurring of vision which normally wears off by the next day.

Difficulty judging depth. Dilating drops may also affect your ability to judge depth so take care when doing anything for which this is needed. For example, climbing steps or kerbs or pouring hot liquids.

How long will the effects last?

Any of these effects on the eye may last for several hours. Depending on the strength and type of dilator drops used, the effects may continue until the next day.

Contact : 

NHS 111 or via optician's referral system.