They dilate the pupil mostly to check the health of the eye (the dilated or open pupil allows them to see more of the back of the eye) checking the optic nerve and the like.
However, I've had several eye exams and laser eye surgery consultations where they dilated my pupils (perhaps less severely) in order for them to get a more accurate exam. For example, without my pupils dilated I could 'muscle' my eye to see clearly at a particular correction, which in fact was less correction than I needed. How did they know this? My doctor explained that after scanning my eye they could measure and determine that the focal point was 1.5mm shorter than it needed to be for clear vision. This dimension has a direct correlation to the proper amount of correction needed. By dilating the pupil, you prevent the eye from being able to 'muscle' or cheat it's way through the exam. In the end, I needed over a full diopter more correction than I was actually using at the time although I could still see clearly without headaches. Some people have complicated prescriptions which is why there are optometrists. On Mar 12, 12:16 am, Firewalker <[email protected]> wrote: > I don't see how they could get an accurate prescription portion > either, if your eyes were already dilated. > > I *could* be wrong, but when I get my eyes dilated, my vision gets > totally screwed up. > Personally, I wouldn't be able trust a script that was made to correct > my dilated vision. > I wouldn't think it would be the same...my vision sure isn't! :) > > -=# Firewalker #=- > > On Mar 11, 9:36 am, Mojito Libre <[email protected]> wrote: > > > The PD was partly my fault. Long before I sat down for the actual > > prescription portion of the exam, I had had my pupils dilated for a > > more detailed examination. So, they really couldn't get an accurate > > measurement. > > > He apologized for not measuring it, but it didn't bother me, because I > > knew how relatively easy it was to measure it at home. > > > On Mar 11, 12:14 am, Chuck Knight <[email protected]> wrote: > > > >http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30150 > > > > On Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Chuck Knight <[email protected]> > > > wrote: > > > > Worse yet...the eye testing machine (I've gone blank on its name...1 or > > > > 2, > > > > 1 or 2) has a spot where it can be used to measure PD. It's read out in > > > > digital numbers...quite clear. > > > > > As for honesty... These optometrists are providing a service, and > > > > doing a > > > > reasonably good job of it. Their job is, simply put, to test your eyes > > > > and > > > > vision for problems, and then provide a prescription which will correct > > > > for > > > > any errors detected. They usually do a darned good job. > > > > > The "honesty" comment above indicates that, since it is often true that > > > > the > > > > doctor also dispenses the eyewear, that he has a conflict of interests. > > > > He > > > > will often severely discount the exam, expecting to make up the > > > > difference > > > > in the sale of the glasses...and, consequently, it's in his best > > > > interest to > > > > "find" some reason why you need new glasses every time. > > > > > If their price structure was reexamined, an eye exam might cost $100 > > > > instead of $50...but we'd walk out with *all* our information, every > > > > time, > > > > and not simply be *expected* to buy the glasses at his shop, and only > > > > his > > > > shop, ever. > > > > > I have *NO PROBLEM* with the doctors being in business. Heck, I have my > > > > own business, complete with overhead, operating costs, etc. Customer > > > > retention is a major concern for me...BUT, optometrists shouldn't > > > > clandestinely subsidize one half of their business with the other half, > > > > by > > > > holding their customers hostage. I have no problem with them wanting to > > > > keep me as a customer, but wish they could be a bit more open about it. > > > > > Eye exam $100 - $50 off your first pair of glasses. > > > > > That price structure would give the same results, and incentivize > > > > customer > > > > loyalty, but in this way we would know what we're paying for, and they > > > > wouldn't have to complain that by giving out PD information they are > > > > allowing their customers to "escape." > > > > > ESCAPE!!! > > > > > Seriously, check the links posted to the optiboard discussion forum, > > > > for a > > > > bone-chilling look at a "professional" forum. > > > > > -- Chuck Knight > > > > > On Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 6:44 PM, Firewalker > > > > <[email protected]>wrote: > > > > >> On Mar 10, 12:41 pm, abfabdude <[email protected]> wrote: > > > >> > If it eats into their bottom > > > >> > line then re-structure the price of the exam with honesty... > > > > >> Honesty?? ::Cough Cough:: ;> > > > >> Exactly how much could a pair of blank glasses, a dry erase marker, > > > >> and a ruler cut into their bottom line? > > > > >> Bottom Line...It's just plain laziness. They think that it's the > > > >> optician's job to do the measuring. > > > >> Guess they don't even know what their own title means. > > > >> Optometrist.....OPTO=(optical, optics) pertaining to vision or the > > > >> eyes. > > > >> METRIST=one who measures. (metrics). > > > >> So, optometrist stands for one who measures eyes and vision. > > > > >> My pupils are part of my *eyes*, and PD is *measuring* the distance > > > >> between my pupils. > > > >> So, *doctor*....quit ter whinin' and do yer dang JOB!! :) > > > > >> --End 2 cents Mode-- > > > > >> -=# Firewalker #=-- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Check us out at the oft-updated http://www.glassyeyes.com! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GlassyEyes" group. 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