Forget driving, you should have warned me about walking...

[Dreamstalker]

I finally got an eye exam today. My prescription hasn't changed a lot but I've been wanting new glasses anyway; have to wait for my new insurance to kick in and see if they will cover it (my existing frames are perfectly fine, so if I'm able to just get new lenses that would be great).

Before the appointment, I was warned that my pupils would be dilated so I couldn't drive home (which was fine as I don't drive anyway)...but even walking home was interesting. Dilated pupils + bright direct sunlight...yeah. Even my glasses being the Transitions kind that darken in UV didn't help much; walking in the shade helped, but there wasn't much to be had. I somehow managed to not get run over by anything/anyone, but a cop did ask if I was okay (my balance was probably slightly off and my pupils probably didn't help); all I had to say was 'I just had an eye exam' so I must have seemed normal otherwise. I did get an escort across one of the busier streets I had to cross which was nice (the angle of the sun meant that I could barely see the pedestrian signal, and at that intersection that could be very bad; I was not about to try to beat any traffic).

[kpzra]

I think they should start giving out notes when you had your eyes dilated so you can show that to cops.

[KatherineB]

Yeah, those drops are extremely sucky and having to do anything with them in is awful. Much sympathy from me!

[Spork4pedro]

The last time that I had to have my pupils dilated was back when I worked at the Smoothie Shoppe. The entire front wall of the shop was windows that were getting hit with the afternoon sun. Between that and not being able to read the register screens (my CWs had to shout out the orders to me ) it was a long afternoon.

[Cazzi]

Oh gosh, the first time I had that done they didn't bother telling me until I actually got to the clinic or I would have had the whole afternoon off school!
I ended up doing a history test afterwards & got ink smudges on my nose as i had it practically resting on the desk so I could see what I was doing

[TheSHAD0W]

I think you should've taken some advice from ZZ Top...

Go get yourself some cheap sunglasses... Oh yeah!

[PepperElf]

oo yeah. i've had that before.
medical would issue these lame shades made out of plastic & paper. i preferred wearing my own though. like this


is it bad though?... when i first read this I read it as "wanking" not "walking"

[Dreamstalker]

I think they should start giving out notes when you had your eyes dilated so you can show that to cops.

Hee...I like that idea...as it would be given by the doctor, not much potential for abuse (one hopes). That was a first for me for sure...now I know to schedule eye exams on overcast days though

[Catwoman2965]

I hate that. I am able to drive, as long as its still dayllight out. But the last time, I was seeing a new dr., who likes to take her time. So by the time I was done, it was getting dark, and I had a good 40 minute drive home. Which was quite scary. My eyes were so bad that the tailights on cars in front of me were like starbursts, and I couldn't really judge how close I was. I did a lot of stop and go, and I'm sure, erratic driving, but I was slow, and made it home ok. I was just waiting to be pulled over by a cop for bad driving, and having my pupils dialated. I did have my bill, and the new prescription for my glasses, so I think I would ahve been ok, but even so, not something I want to do again! My next appt is early enough I will be home before dark.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Odd. When I got my eyes checked a couple of months ago, they dilated my pupils, but didn't warn me against driving. I had my prescription sunglasses, which I put on, and drove home without any problem.

[Sparky]

I always drive home from eye exams.

Prescription sunglasses. AND those cheap-o plastic things they give you at the eye doctor. AND if I'm walking, a hat.

Then I squint.

[kpzra]

I need to have a new eye exam done as it's been years and I think one eye is a bit off now. The problem is I live in the desert right now and I REALLY don't want to deal with the sun.

[Sapphire Silk]

I've always gotten the plastic inserts that cover my glasses, plus my glasses have the Transition lenses as well. But it is miserable.

Last year I made the mistake of going to clinic after I had my eyes dilated. It made me off balance, and I could barely see a thing. It took almost the whole shift before I could finally see properly.

[Eisa]

Oh, I remember getting the shades! They never really helped. Although it was certainly very interesting looking in the mirror and checking out my eyes, I felt like an alien.

[raudf]

Given how far I live from my eye doc, I usually turn down the dilation unless I have hubby with me to do the driving. The last time I had it done... I think I'd rather just go home, stick a cold damp rag over my eyes and call it a day.