A dilated eye exam is a procedure used by eye care professionals to assess the health of your eyes. During this exam, special eye drops are applied to widen the pupils, allowing the doctor to see the back of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. This helps in detecting various eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The exam typically takes about 30 minutes, but the effects of the dilation can last for several hours. Patients may experience blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light during this time. It is often recommended to have someone accompany you, as driving may be difficult until the effects wear off.