Dilated Eye Exam in
Willowbrook, Houston
Get a doctor-led dilated eye exam at our Willowbrook location on Cypress Creek Pkwy. We examine your retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels — screening for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration in a single appointment.
What Is a Dilated Eye Exam and Why Does It Matter?
A dilated eye exam — also called a dilated fundus exam — is a diagnostic procedure in which your eye doctor places dilating drops in your eyes to widen your pupils. Once your pupils are fully dilated, our optometrists can see directly into the back of your eye: your retina, macula, optic nerve, and the blood vessels that run through them.
Without dilation, a standard eye exam can only assess the front portion of the eye. The most serious eye conditions — glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration — develop silently at the back of the eye with no early symptoms. A dilated eye exam is one of the only ways to detect these conditions before they cause permanent vision loss.
Dr. Sharon Mathukutty, O.D., our therapeutic optometrist and glaucoma specialist at the Willowbrook office, uses advanced digital retinal imaging alongside the dilated exam to document and track your ocular health over time. Early detection changes outcomes — and it starts here.
Book your dilated eye exam todayWhat a Dilated Eye Exam Can Detect
- Glaucoma and optic nerve damage
- Diabetic retinopathy and retinal changes
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Retinal detachment and retinal tears
- High blood pressure damage to retinal vessels
- Early signs of eye disease before symptoms appear
What Happens During Your Dilated Eye Exam
Dilating Eye Drops
We place mydriatic drops in each eye to widen your pupils. The drops take 20 to 30 minutes to work. You may notice light sensitivity and blurred near vision — this is normal and temporary.
Book your examRetinal Examination
Dr. Mathukutty examines your retina, macula, and peripheral retina using an ophthalmoscope. This is the core of the dilated exam — the view dilation provides is not possible any other way.
Learn moreOptic Nerve Evaluation
We assess the optic nerve head for signs of glaucoma damage, cupping, or swelling. As a certified glaucoma specialist, Dr. Mathukutty evaluates subtle nerve changes that standard exams can miss.
Glaucoma specialistsDigital Retinal Imaging
We capture high-resolution photographs of your retina for documentation and year-over-year comparison. Retinal images allow us to detect subtle changes in your eye health over time.
Retinal imagingIntraocular Pressure Test
Before dilation, we measure the fluid pressure inside your eye. Elevated intraocular pressure is a key risk factor for glaucoma. This quick, painless test takes less than a minute.
Eye pressure testResults and Care Plan
After the exam we review every finding with you in plain language. If everything is healthy, you leave with peace of mind. If we detect early changes, we outline a clear monitoring or treatment plan.
Book your examWhat to Expect During Your Dilated Eye Exam
Most appointments take 60 to 90 minutes from check-in to check-out. Here is exactly what happens at our Willowbrook office on Cypress Creek Pkwy.
We begin with a vision test and intraocular pressure measurement. These quick tests give us a baseline and screen for elevated pressure — a key early indicator of glaucoma risk.
We place dilating drops in each eye. Your pupils will fully widen within 20 to 30 minutes. During this time you are welcome to relax in our waiting area. Bring sunglasses — your eyes will be light-sensitive after the exam.
Once your pupils are dilated, Dr. Mathukutty uses an ophthalmoscope to examine your retina, macula, optic nerve, and retinal blood vessels. This is the most important part of the exam — conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are detected here.
We capture high-resolution photographs of your retina for documentation and future comparison. These images let us track subtle changes in your ocular health year over year — far more useful than a single snapshot exam.
Using a slit lamp, we examine the front structures of your eye — the cornea, lens, and iris — for signs of cataracts, corneal conditions, or other anterior segment issues.
We walk you through every finding in plain language. If your eyes are healthy, you leave knowing it. If we detect any early changes, we outline a clear next step — whether that's monitoring, additional imaging, or a referral.
Who Should Get a Dilated Eye Exam?
- Annual dilated exam required
- Screens for diabetic retinopathy
- Detects retinal changes before vision loss
- We work with your care team on findings
- Rising risk for glaucoma and AMD
- Vision changes are common after 40
- Dilated exam every 1 to 2 years recommended
- Baseline retinal imaging established
- Family history of glaucoma or AMD
- High blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
- Floaters, flashing lights, or sudden vision changes
- Prior diagnosis of eye disease or retinal condition
Meet Your Willowbrook Eye Doctors
Dr. Sharon Mathukutty, O.D.
Therapeutic Optometrist & Glaucoma Specialist
University of Houston College of Optometry, 2010
Dr. Mathukutty has over a decade of clinical experience in the Houston area. Board-certified by the Texas Board of Optometry as both a therapeutic optometrist and glaucoma specialist, she leads dilated eye exams at our Willowbrook office with a focus on early disease detection, retinal health, and long-term ocular care.
Dr. Kimberly Kennedy, O.D.
Therapeutic Optometrist & Glaucoma Specialist
University of the Incarnate Word, Rosenberg School of Optometry
A Houston native, Dr. Kennedy graduated Magna Cum Laude in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M before completing her Doctor of Optometry degree. She specializes in primary care optometry, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and ocular infections — bringing both clinical expertise and a personal connection to the communities she serves.
Questions About Your Dilated Eye Exam
We get a lot of questions about dilated eye exams — especially from patients who have never had one. Here are honest answers to what patients ask us most at our Willowbrook office on Cypress Creek Pkwy.
Book Your Eye ExamMost dilated eye exam appointments at our Willowbrook office take 60 to 90 minutes from check-in to check-out. The dilation drops alone require 20 to 30 minutes to fully widen your pupils. Plan your schedule accordingly and bring sunglasses — your eyes will be light-sensitive for a few hours after the exam.
Many patients can drive after dilation, particularly in familiar areas. That said, bright light and blurry near vision can make driving uncomfortable for three to five hours. We recommend bringing sunglasses and, if possible, having someone drive you home — especially if this is your first dilated exam or if you are particularly sensitive to light.
In many cases, yes. When a dilated eye exam is performed for medical reasons — such as screening for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma monitoring, or retinal disease — it is often billed to medical insurance rather than vision insurance. We accept most vision and medical insurance plans at our Willowbrook office, including VSP and EyeMed. Call us at (281) 477-7811 to verify your specific coverage before your visit.
Most adults need a dilated eye exam every one to two years. If you have diabetes, you need one every year — and possibly more often if diabetic eye changes are already present. Patients with glaucoma, a family history of eye disease, or high blood pressure may also need annual dilated exams. Your eye doctor will give you a personalized recommendation based on your findings and overall health history.
A dilated eye exam can help detect glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, retinal tears, hypertensive retinopathy, optic nerve damage, and other ocular conditions. Many of these develop without any pain or noticeable vision changes in the early stages — which is exactly why regular dilated exams matter for long-term eye health.
Bring your insurance card, a list of current medications including any eye drops, your current glasses or contact lens prescription if you have one, and your medical history including any diagnosed conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Sunglasses for after the exam are strongly recommended. If this is your first visit, arriving 10 minutes early to complete new patient paperwork helps keep your appointment on time.