I went to my eye doctor three weeks ago and had my eyes dilated for an exam. Dilation should only last about 4-6 hours. The next day I woke up and could not read or focus on anything. I called the eye doctors office and was told the doctors assistant had put the wrong drops in my eyes and I was one of a few patients calling in with this problem. I was told I would just have to wait it out and it could take up to 10 days for this medication (Atropine) to clear from my system.
I asked to speak with the eye doctor who called me back . At first he asked if I had ever had a reaction like this to dilation drops. I explained that I had already spoke with his office and the staff told me that the wrong drops had been put in my eyes and that the medication was now cleared from the examining rooms. He then had a different approach and faxed a perscription for reversal drops to a pharmacy near my house. He said he would cover the cost of the drops since I do not have insurance. I took the drops for 1 week and my eyes became less dilated but remain unable to focus close up and sensitive to light.
I called back and explained this to the eye doctor. He said he was sorry and spoke with the girls in the office regarding the importance of administering the correct drops. He then sent me to an optician in my area who examined my eyes and gave me a set of eye glasses to help focus when I am reading close up. She told me that this medication Atropine could have prematurely caused a condition where my eye is no longer able to accomodate and focus as it did before. My original doctor covered the cost of these glasses as well and told me that we all eventually loose are ability to focus close up after the age of 40yr( I am 42). I am really concerned about my eyesight . I have had headaches and have been unable to read or focus on a computer screen . I have gone to see another optician who said my perscription has changed and could not understand how Atropine could have been put in my eyes . He says my eyes are no longer dilated however I feel there is a change in my vision. I was already experiencing loss of vision in my right eye when I went to my original eye doctor who is a retinal specialist I am upset to know a mistake was made and I have to live with the consequences and wonder about the future of my eyesight. The original doctor has called once to see if I was doing better and had his staff call twice. I do not feel comfortable going back to his office an can not help but feel he is responsible for the staff in his office. Please advise if I have any recourse in this matter.

Optional Information:
Country relating to Question: United States
State (if USA): New Jersey