Protective Eyewear Plus Post-Mydriatic Patient Dos and Don’ts

As an eye doctor, your primary concern has always been protecting your patients’ eyes and vision. With dilated eye exams, protecting your patients’ eyes is even more important. In this article, we take a look at how you can help protect your patients’ eyes during and after a dilated eye exam.

1 | Before the Appointment: A Ride Home

Be sure that your patient has a safe way to get home after their appointment. Since they need to avoid driving post-exam due to side effects, they will need to have someone else drive them home. 

Also discuss with them that these appointments generally take longer, as it takes about 15-30 minutes for the drop to fully take effect. Knowing ahead of time how long the appointment should take will help them schedule an appointment on a day that is most convenient for them, which will help reduce cancellations and no-shows! 

2 | At the Start of the Appointment: Talk to Your Patients About What to Expect

If your patient has never had a dilated eye exam before, be sure to talk to them about what to expect during and after they are given dilation eye drops. Some things they will want to know include:

• How long the dilation lasts
• Possible side effects
• How to avoid irritation and damage from bright lights and sunlight

3 | During the Appointment: Make Patients as Comfortable as Possible

To make your patients as comfortable as possible during the appointment, provide them with Rollens. Rollens offers many suitable options of protective wrap-a-round eyewear with 100% UV protection. The comfortable and lightweight grip-flex design is ideal for post-mydriatic patients, giving protection with a one-size-fits-all design. 

While your patient is waiting for the drops to take effect, be sure they are wearing their protective glasses and that they are able to wait in a room with comfortable, dimmed lighting.

4 | After the Exam: Explain Dos and Don’ts for Patients

At the end of the exam, be sure to go over the post-mydriatic exam dos and don’ts. 

• Rollens is single-use so your patient has protective eyewear they can walk out the door with. Tell them to wear the glasses while they recover from the side effects of the drops. 
• Tell patients to avoid bright lights and that they may want to limit or avoid screen time until they recover as digital devices can be uncomfortable to look at. 
• Encourage patients to avoid being outside when they don’t have to be and to keep indoor lighting dim to help them feel more comfortable. 
• Patients should avoid up-close reading or reading for extended periods as this can strain their eyes. 
• Patients should also avoid driving until the effects wear off as eyes are more sensitive to light and vision can be blurry. 
• If they need a follow-up appointment, have them schedule while checking out. 
• Finally, patients should avoid reinserting contact lenses in for a while–make sure you let them know when it’s okay to reinsert them. 

Rollens is the Largest Selling Wrap-A-Round Protective Lens in the Medical Market!

Rollens is loved by eye doctors and dentists around the country for a reason! They are comfortable, hygienic, easy to use, provide excellent protection, and patients love them! Rollens is a Veteran owned company and products are American made. We even have the Ecolens–which is made with 46% plant-based renewable and biodegradable materials. Ecolens provides the same comfort and protection you know and love from Rollens, just in a more eco-friendly way. 
Shop Rollens now and see why post-mydriatic patients love them!