Short answer: A retinal examination lets your eye doctor see the back of your eye. You’ll have a few routine checks, then either dilating drops or a quick retinal scan. Nothing hurts. If you’re dilated, your vision stays blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours, so bring sunglasses and plan a ride home.
If you’ve been booked for a retinal exam, it’s normal to wonder what’s coming. The short version is that it’s simple, quick, and far less dramatic than it sounds.
What is a retinal examination?
A retinal examination is a check of the retina, the light-sensing layer at the back of your eye, along with the optic nerve and blood vessels around it. Doctors do it so they can see the back of your eye and catch disease early. Most often it is part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Does a retinal exam hurt?
No. The bright light is more annoying than painful, and medical imaging of the retina (e.g., OCT) is painless, with no known risks or side effects. Most of the discomfort comes afterwards, from glare.
How long do the effects last?
The waiting for drops to work is the slow part, and the blur is what people remember. Our vision may be blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours afterward. Practical tips:
- Bring sunglasses, because dilated pupils can’t shrink to block bright light.
- Ask someone to drive you home.
- Skip detailed close work that afternoon if you can.
What is the doctor looking for?
The dilated view helps check for common problems including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Many of these cause no symptoms early on.
How often do you need one?
People with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated exam at least once a year, and more often, as frequently as every two to four months, if retinopathy is found. Other retinal pathologies, such as macular degeneration, will also require regular reviews, and you will be advised on the regularity of these reviews by your ophthalmologist.
When not to wait for a routine exam
Don’t hold out for your appointment if you notice many new floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow or curtain across your vision. These are possible signs of retinal detachment, and you should go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away, because delay raises the risk of permanent vision loss.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a retinal exam take?
Clinics vary, but the pieces are short. Dilating drops need about 20 minutes to work. The blurry vision afterwards lasts for a few hours.
Do I need to be dilated for a retinal exam?
Not always. Some clinics use retinal imaging without drops, and some use both. Your doctor will choose based on your history and what they need to see.
Can I drive after a retinal exam?
Only if you weren’t dilated. After dilation, ask someone to drive you home, since glare and blur can make driving unsafe.