Final answer:
After an eye exam involving dilating eye drops, a common side effect is the temporary inability to see nearby objects clearly, a condition linked to hyperopia or presbyopia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The side effect of eye drops used to dilate the eyes, such as those given during an optometrist appointment, can be an inability to see nearby objects clearly. This condition is known as farsightedness or hyperopia, which can be a temporary effect of the eye drops. When the pupils are dilated, the ability to focus on close objects is diminished because the eye cannot accommodate or change its focus as effectively. The muscles controlling the lens in our eyes may struggle to adjust the lens's shape to focus light properly on the retina for near vision, leading to blurriness when looking at close objects. This side effect is especially pronounced in individuals with early signs of presbyopia, a common condition that begins to affect people as they reach their 40s, where the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on near objects.