Cataract

Diagnosis

To diagnose the presence of a cataract, your physician will carefully assess your medical history and symptoms while conducting a comprehensive eye examination. Several tests may be performed during this evaluation, including:

• Visual acuity test. An eye chart is used in a visual acuity exam to gauge how well you can read a string of letters. One of your eyes is tested at a time, with the other covered. Your eye doctor will check your vision using a chart or a device with increasingly smaller letters to see if you have 20/20 vision or if there are any warning signs of vision impairment.
• Slit-lamp examination. Your eye doctor can magnify the structures at the front of your eye using a slit light. The cornea, iris, lens, and space between your iris and cornea are all illuminated by the microscope, which is also known as a slit lamp. These structures may be observed through the slit in portions, making it simpler to spot any minute abnormalities.
• Retinal exam. To perform a retinal exam, your eye doctor will administer eye drops to dilate your pupils, allowing for a better view of the back of your eyes (retina). With the aid of a slit lamp or an ophthalmoscope, the lens can be examined for any signs of cataract formation.
• Applanation tonometry. This test measures the fluid pressure within your eyes. Different devices are available for this purpose, allowing your eye doctor to evaluate the intraocular pressure and screen for conditions like glaucoma.

Treatment

When prescription glasses fail to improve your vision adequately, the most effective solution for treating cataracts is surgery.

When to undergo surgery

Cataract surgery is recommended by eye doctors when it starts to impact your daily life or normal activities, like reading or driving at night. The decision to undergo surgery is a joint one between you and your doctor. Typically, there’s no rush to remove cataracts as they don’t harm the eyes, but certain conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity may speed up their worsening.

Delaying the procedure usually doesn’t affect vision recovery if you opt for surgery later. It’s essential to discuss the benefits and risks of the surgery with your doctor. If you choose not to have surgery now, regular follow-up exams will be recommended to monitor the progression of cataracts. The frequency of these exams will depend on your specific situation.

The cataract surgery procedure

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. This new lens, called an intraocular lens, becomes a permanent part of the eye. If an artificial lens cannot be used due to other eye problems, vision can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses after the cataract is removed.

The surgery is typically outpatient, meaning no hospital stay is required. Local anesthetic is used, and patients are usually awake during the procedure. Although generally safe, there are some risks, such as infection, bleeding, and an increased risk of retinal detachment.

After the surgery, there may be discomfort for a few days, and full healing usually occurs within a few weeks. If both eyes need cataract surgery, the second eye is scheduled for surgery after the first eye has healed.