Cheers guys
I have an eye healthcare background so will try shed some light on the exam. We all know pupils constrict when bright light is shone into them but in order for us to look inside the eye to asses the retina('film' at back of eye, which picks up light/images and sends them to the brain), the optic nerve head(where the optic nerve from the brain is attached to the eye) the blood vessles(arteries and veins) and other related areas, we need bright light....thus to avoid the pupils constricting and hindering our view to the inside of the dark eye we paralyse the muscles which constrict the pupils thereby dilating them
Some examinations are easier than others and depending on your eye history, previous exam results, family eye history etc some practioners will want to dilate the pupils for a more in depth view. The drops wear off after a few hrs and cause no harm to the eye generally. The glare from exessive light entering the eye can be a pain but dark wrap around sunglasses go a long way in alleviating any discomfort.
You really should avoid driving after you have had the dilating drops administered.
Also there are age related factors/diseases which also need to be ruled out....glaucoma(high pressure inside the eye) which can lead to insidious peripheral vision loss if not caught in time..leading to potential 'tunnel vision' as well as other eye conditions which may affect your vision and thus yr ability to fly.
My strong advice is to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist as opposed to an optician/optometrist, with all due respect. A medically trained doctor who has specialised in diseases of the eye is the best person for the job.
If anyone has further questions please ask.
Oddy
