Drops are not always used but can be part of many eye exams. There are different kinds of eye drops that may be used depending on your needs.
The most common drops are used to dilate your pupils, which helps the optometrist better see the inside of your eye. These drops can leave your eyes a little blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours, so you may not be able to drive immediately after this procedure.
Other drops are used to relax the focus of your eyes, which helps the optometrist take certain measurements. These drops are generally used in children and young adults and can also make the eyes blurry and sensitive to light.
Some drops are used to numb the eye and are used when the optometrist needs to touch your eye with an instrument.
Finally, some drops contain a dye that helps the optometrist see abnormalities on the surface of the eye.