A dilated retinal eye exam in pregnancy is usually ordered to check the blood vessels at the back of the eye for changes linked to high blood pressure (including preeclampsia) or diabetes, both of which can affect the retina. The dilating drops used for the exam are considered safe in pregnancy — they act locally on the eye and are not associated with harm to the baby.

Why the exam gets ordered

  • High blood pressure or suspected preeclampsia — the small blood vessels in the retina can show early changes related to pregnancy-related high blood pressure, and looking at them can add useful information alongside blood pressure readings and blood/urine tests
  • Diabetes (pre-existing or gestational) — diabetes can affect the retina's blood vessels over time, and pregnancy is a reason to check this even if it hasn't been checked recently, since pregnancy itself can accelerate existing changes
  • It's a monitoring tool, not a routine test for every pregnancy — most pregnancies don't need this exam; it's ordered when a specific concern like blood pressure or blood sugar makes the retina relevant to check

About the dilating drops

The drops used to widen the pupil for this exam (commonly tropicamide, sometimes combined with phenylephrine) act on the eye itself and are considered safe to use during pregnancy. Effects are temporary — blurred near vision and light sensitivity for a few hours are normal, so it helps to have someone else drive you home and to bring sunglasses for the glare afterwards.

What happens during and after

The exam itself is quick and not painful — drops are placed in each eye, you wait roughly 15–20 minutes for the pupils to widen, and the doctor examines the retina with a light. Your near vision will be blurry and your eyes more light-sensitive for a few hours afterward, but this resolves on its own with no lasting effect.

The exam and the drops used for it are about protecting you, not a sign that something is already wrong — it's ordered so that changes related to blood pressure or blood sugar can be caught and managed early, which is exactly when management works best.

Frequently asked

Do the dilating drops cross the placenta or affect the baby?

The drops act locally on the eye's own muscles and are considered safe for use during pregnancy; they aren't associated with harm to the baby. As with any medication in pregnancy, your doctor factors in your specific health history before ordering the exam.

Will my vision go back to normal after the drops wear off?

Yes — the blurred near vision and light sensitivity from dilation are temporary, typically lasting a few hours, and your vision returns to normal on its own without any lasting effect.

Does every pregnant person need this exam?

No — it's ordered for a specific reason, most often pregnancy-related high blood pressure (including suspected preeclampsia) or diabetes, not as a routine test for every pregnancy. If your doctor hasn't raised it, it's likely not relevant to your specific pregnancy.

Can I drive myself home after the exam?

It's best not to — near vision is blurred and eyes are more sensitive to light for a few hours after dilation, so arranging a ride or having someone with you is a sensible precaution.