Effects of routine pupillary dilation on functional daylight vision
P. S. O'Connor, T. J. Tredici, J. Pickett, B. Byrne and D. R. Peters
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
The visual acuity of 100 patients between the ages of 16 and 66 years, seen
for routine ophthalmologic examination, was measured before and after
dilation. All patients had a predilation visual acuity of 20/40 or better.
Postdilation binocular visual acuity using the patients' usual correction
was measured first in the office and then outdoors, both with the patient's
back to and the patient facing the sun, with and without the aid of
postmydriatic sunglasses. Twelve percent experienced disabling photophobia
even with the use of postmydriatic sunglasses, with 3% having significant
objective visual loss defined as 20/50 or worse. No objective visual loss
was found in 30 controls examined outdoors before dilation, without
sunglasses. We recommend that patients who have experienced significant
photophobia with dilation in the past, or who have never before undergone
dilation, make arrangements for transportation after a dilated examination.
