A dilated pupil is critical to comprehensively examine, diagnose, and treat vision-threatening eye disease.
While many patients are used to eyeglass appointments that occur without dilation, it is the ophthalmologist’s responsibility to ensure the health of the entire eye. Even when the main complaint of the patient involves the surface of the eye, important findings in the back of the eye could change our diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
Furthermore, retina specialists are fellowship-trained surgeons who diagnose and treat eye conditions that are exclusively located behind the pupil. When evaluating the retina, particularly on a new patient, it is critical for the eye doctor to view the entirety of the back of the eye through a dilated pupil.
While dilation can be inconvenient, be assured that it doesn’t directly contribute to the cost of the visit. Ophthalmology billing is based on the complexity of your eye disease, not the dilation status of your pupil.