NOV 24, 2020
Do you need a dilated eye exam for an eyeglass or contact lens prescription?
Answer:
A dilatedeye exam is not typically needed to get an accurate prescription during refractive testing. Farsighted (hyperopic) persons are the exceptionand may need dilation to obtain the most accurate prescription.
However, dilation is a part of a complete eye exam to examine the health of the back structures of the eye including the lens, retina and optic nerve. Evenif someone has perfect vision on an eye test, there may be eye problems that only a dilated exam would be able to uncover. You should follow your doctor's recommendation about the frequency of dilation during eye checkups.
Answered by: 833942
Browse Questions by Topic
Our ophthalmologists have answered thousands of questions about eye diseases and conditions. Search our entire Ask an Ophthalmologist collection to find the answers you need.
Read our important medical disclaimer.
You can also browse by topic to see how physicians answered questions about a specific eye condition:
Not every question will receive a direct response from an ophthalmologist. However, we will follow up with suggested ways to find appropriate information related to your question. Medical disclaimer
By submitting your question, you agree to be answered by email. Your email address will only be used to answer your question unless you are an Academy member or are subscribed to Academy newsletters.
Ask a Question
Not every question will receive a direct response from an ophthalmologist. However, we will follow up with suggested ways to find appropriate information related to your question. Medical disclaimer
By submitting your question, you agree to be answered by email. Your email address will only be used to answer your question unless you are an Academy member or are subscribed to Academy newsletters.
Keep Exploring
Find an Ophthalmologist
Free EyeSmart Newsletter
Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision.
All content on the Academy’s website is protected by copyright law and theTerms of Service. This content may not be reproduced, copied, or put into any artificial intelligence program, including large language and generative AI models, withoutpermission from the Academy.
OUR SITES
© American Academy of Ophthalmology 2024
'; // Insert the new content as the first child of the AdZone div adZone.insertBefore(newContent, adZone.firstChild); } } // Call the function initially checkAdZone();});