Eye dilation (mydriasis) is a standard procedure during a comprehensive eye examination. Specialized eye drops temporarily widen the pupil, which functions like the camera aperture of the eye. This widening allows the eye doctor a much clearer view of internal structures, such as the retina and the optic nerve, to check for signs of disease. This temporary alteration to your vision prompts the question of whether contact lenses can be worn immediately following the exam.
The Direct Answer: Wear Glasses Instead
The direct answer is to avoid wearing contact lenses entirely after dilation. Eye care professionals advise against reinserting contacts because the drops cause two noticeable side effects that compromise comfort and visual quality, making contact lens wear impractical.
The most common side effect is photophobia, or extreme light sensitivity, because the widened pupil cannot constrict normally to regulate light entering the eye. This is paired with temporarily blurred near vision, which makes reading and focusing difficult due to the eye’s inability to accommodate. Wearing contacts while experiencing light sensitivity and blurry vision leads to discomfort, irritation, and potential damage to the lens or the eye surface. Therefore, you must bring prescription glasses to your appointment, as they offer the only comfortable and safe way to manage your vision until the effects of the drops wear off.
Why Dilated Eyes and Contacts Do Not Mix
The physiological changes induced by the dilation drops create an environment hostile to comfortable contact lens wear. Many of the medications used can temporarily reduce the eye’s natural tear production rate. A stable and healthy tear film is necessary for maintaining lubrication between the contact lens and the delicate corneal surface.
When the tear film becomes thin or unstable, the contact lens creates increased friction against the surface of the eye, leading to significant dryness and a gritty, uncomfortable sensation. This dryness also compromises the cornea’s ability to maintain hydration, which increases the risk of micro-trauma or superficial abrasions from the physical lens rubbing against a poorly lubricated tissue. Furthermore, the altered pupil size introduces visual aberrations that are exacerbated by the lens itself.
With a wider pupil, the eye takes in light rays that normally would be blocked by the iris, including those that pass through the very periphery of the contact lens. These peripheral light rays are often subject to spherical and chromatic aberrations due to the lens curvature, leading to increased glare, halos, and poor visual quality. This combination of physical irritation and reduced visual performance makes contact lens wear during dilation medically inadvisable.
Timeline for Resuming Contact Lens Use
The duration of the dilation effects depends heavily on the specific type of medication administered by your eye care professional. Common dilating agents, such as tropicamide, cause light sensitivity and blurred vision that resolve within four to six hours. Stronger or longer-acting cycloplegic drops might extend these visual effects up to 24 hours.
It is imperative to wait until both the light sensitivity and the blurriness have entirely disappeared before attempting to reinsert contact lenses. The eye must be fully recovered, meaning the pupil has returned to its normal, reactive size and is able to constrict appropriately to regulate light input.
Only once your vision feels completely back to its baseline clarity, without residual irritation or dryness, should you resume your normal wearing schedule. If the symptoms persist significantly longer than the expected timeframe provided by your doctor, or if you experience any developing pain or redness, contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist for further professional guidance.