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Driving following dilation

I have been unable to drive following four treatment appointments due to eye irritation. It was even worse following my last appointment, and I mentioned this today. She thought it might be that the betadine wasn't thoroughly rinsed from my eye, so she gave me a double rinse today. This made a huge difference. I look forward to driving home from my next appointment. I’ll still have my husband ride with me, but I think this will work out fine. The time after that he likely wont need to come.

  1. that's great to hear! Asking for extra rinsing seems to have done the trick. I wonder why all the doctors don't do this all the time? Best wishes, Wendy, Advocate.

    1. especially since I’ve repeatedly commented on my inability to drive. Better late than never I guess.

    2. some community members say their doctor "won't let" them drive home after an injection, even if they want to and feel up to it. There must be differing medical views on this. I'm glad for you that your doctor is fine with it. Best wishes, Wendy, Advocate.



  2. does your doctor dilate your eyes for the injection? The clinic where my sister goes for injections dilates their eyes and requires you to have a driver. Sharon Moore advocate

    1. I understand just how thrilling it is to drive. My doctor told me at my last visit I was no longer safe to drive at night. I had already restricted my night driving but I hated to hear those words from the doctor. My sister with wet macular degeneration has a problem with the betadine but wouldn’t speak up. Her daughter went with her to her last retinal visit and told them how much trouble she had with the Betadine. They took extra caution rinsing her eyes at that visit and she was much more comfortable in the hours afterward. Best wishes, Sharon Moore Advocate

    2. I think I remember having drops to reverse the dilation after an eye examination in the past, but I must check on this. I know I was able to drive home, but it was only an examination. Wendy, Advocate.

  3. Wendy the drops used to reverse dilation have been discontinued here in the United States. I asked about them and they told me that they had unwanted side effects. That has been sometime ago so there may be something available that I’m unaware of. It would be so helpful for everyone that has to have their eyes dilated and drive after if they could have dilation reversed. Best wishes, Sharon Moore Advocate

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