Slit Lamp Examination

How It Feels

There normally is no discomfort involved with a slit lamp examination.

Dilating drops may make your eyes sting and cause a medicine taste in your mouth. You will have difficulty focusing your eyes for up to 6 hours after your eyes have been dilated. Your distance vision usually is not affected as much as your near vision, though your eyes may be very sensitive to light. Do not drive for several hours after your eyes have been dilated. Wearing sunglasses may make you more comfortable until the effect of the drops wears off.

Anesthetic drops usually wear off in about 30 minutes.

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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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