Ophthalmoscopy

Funduscopy (Eye exam)

How To Prepare

No special preparation is needed before having this test.

Your health professional may use eyedrops to widen (dilate) your pupils. This makes it easier to see the back of the eye. The eyedrops take about 15 to 20 minutes to dilate the pupil fully. Your health professional may also use eyedrops to numb the surface of your eyes. Tell your health professional if:

• You or anyone else in your family has glaucoma.
• You are allergic to dilating or anesthetic eyedrops.

You may have trouble focusing your eyes for several hours after the test. You may wish to arrange to have someone drive you home after the test. You also will need to wear sunglasses when you go outside or into a brightly lit room.

Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may indicate. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: July 6, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
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