Why are dilating drops used?

Think of your pupil like a window into the back of your eye. In normal light, your pupil is small, offering your optometrist only a narrow peek inside. Dilating drops temporarily widen (dilate) your pupil, throwing the window wide open so your eye-care professional can get a complete, unobstructed view of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels.

What can an eye-care professional see through a dilated pupil?

With the pupil fully dilated, your optometrist can thoroughly inspect the interior structures of your eye. This is crucial for spotting abnormalities, lesions, or small tumors (like ocular melanoma) that reside on the outer edges of the retina and are completely invisible during a standard, non-dilated check.

When and why might dilation be recommended?

Dilation isn’t always required at every single visit, but it is recommended based on your age, risk factors, family history, or clinical symptoms. #EyeGetDilated encourages you to have an open conversation with your optometrist to ask: "Is dilation appropriate for me during today's exam?"

What should I expect during and after the exam?

During: A few painless drops will be placed in each eye. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for your pupils to fully open. After: Your eyes will be temporarily sensitive to bright light, and your close-up reading vision may be blurry for a few hours. Pro-Tip: Bring a pair of sunglasses to wear after your appointment, and consider arranging a driver or taking public transit if you feel uncomfortable driving with dilated pupils.

Eye Get Dilated | Ocumel Canada

#EyeGetDilated

Don’t leave eye health
off your health checklist.

A comprehensive eye exam is about far more than just updating your glasses or contacts. It is an essential component of your routine medical care. By looking inside your eye, your optometrist can detect serious, silent conditions early, including rare eye cancers like ocular melanoma. Don't leave your vision off your health checklist.

Missing a Check?

Doctor

(Annual Physical)

Dentist

(Dental Clean)

Dermatologist

(Skin Check)

Dilated Eye Exam

(Complete Eye Health Check)

You remembered your checkup. Your dental appointment.
Your skin check. What about your eyes?

What is #EyeGetDilated?

The #EyeGetDilated initiative is a global eye-health awareness campaign originally created by CureOM (an initiative of the Melanoma Research Foundation) to highlight the critical role that dilated eye examinations play in early detection.

For 2026, Ocumel Canada is proud to support and reinvigorate this campaign across Canada. In partnership with CureOM, provincial and national optometry associations, and local eye-care partners, we are building a unified movement. Our mission is simple: to empower Canadians to make comprehensive eye exams a standard part of their preventative health routine, and to encourage open, informed conversations between patients and optometrists about the clinical necessity of dilating drops.

Beyond the Glasses:
Why Comprehensive Exams Matter

A routine vision test checks what you can see. A comprehensive eye exam checks your health.

Many Canadians believe that if their vision hasn’t changed, their eyes are perfectly healthy. However, some of the most serious eye conditions develop silently, without any early warning signs or changes in your vision.During a comprehensive eye examination, your eye-care professional does not just determine your lens prescription—they examine the physical structure of your entire eye. This thorough evaluation is a powerful diagnostic tool that can detect:

Ocular Melanoma

A rare but life-threatening cancer of the eye that often starts in areas you cannot see without a dilated exam.

Asymptomatic Conditions

Silent eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy before they cause irreversible vision loss.

Systemic Health Issues

Signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease can often be detected first through the blood vessels in your eyes.

Real Stories:
I'm Living Proof

Meet the survivors and advocates whose lives were saved because an optometrist looked deeper.

We can share medical facts all day, but nothing speaks louder than the real experiences of our community. Ocumel Canada's "I'm Living Proof" series highlights the courage of patients whose ocular melanoma was detected early during a routine, comprehensive eye exam.

View all stories here

"Testimonials are a great way to showcase positive feedback from others."

Timberly Williams

Take Action:
Join the #EyeGetDilated Movement

Take the Campaign Pledge

Commit to your vision and show your support. Sign the pledge to add eye care to your personal health checklist today!

Demystifying Dilation:
Your FAQs Answered

Knowledge is power. Here is everything you need to know about dilating drops and why they are a clinical necessity.

Share Your Dilation Selfie!

Show the world that you prioritize your eye health! After your comprehensive exam, take a selfie wearing your oversized post-dilation sunglasses.

How to participate:

Book and complete your dilated eye exam.
Snap a photo wearing your sunglasses post-appointment.
Share it on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok using the hashtag #EyeGetDilated.
Tag @OcumelCanada and challenge three friends to check off their eyes!

Calling All
Eye-Care Professionals & Clinics

Partner with us to champion comprehensive eye health in your community.

Optometrists and eye-care clinics are the frontline defenders of vision health. By joining the #EyeGetDilated 2026 Campaign, your clinic can raise awareness of the lifesaving importance of dilated exams and demonstrate clinical leadership in your community.

We make it incredibly easy for your practice to participate with our digital and physical campaign assets.

WHAT'S INSIDE THE #EyeGetDilated PARTNER TOOLKIT?

Digital Assets:
Co-brandable social media graphics, suggested captions, newsletter templates, and digital banners for your clinic website.

In-Clinic Media:
Educational waiting room slides, printable patient handouts, and downloadable campaign posters.

Physical Visibility Kit:
Request your physical clinic package, which includes an official #EyeGetDilated / Ocumel Canada Window Decal and a tabletop sign for your reception area.