The most concerning part of cataracts are the cloudiness of your eye’s natural lens. According to the American Association of Ophthalmology, this eye condition causes blindness in many parts of the United States and the rest of the world. It is common for elderly people to develop cataracts. If you want to understand more about cataracts, here’s what you should know about its diagnosis and care.

 

Diagnostic Methods

To be certain that your eye condition is, indeed, a cataract, your eye specialist will subject you to the following eye exams:

• Retinal exam. Your eye care provider (ECP) will dilate your pupils during this exam. This makes the back of your eye more visible. Eye specialists usually test your eyes for issues such as dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction. They also need to inspect your cornea for any surface irregularity, brewing disease, or scarring. Your ECP will examine your lens to see how your cataract is advancing. A retinal exam is an opportunity for your eye doctor to spot any other eye issues present. Eye specialists will look at the structures in your eyes, including our lens, macula, and ocular surface as well.

• Slit-lamp exam. Also known as biomicroscopy, this is a standard method of diagnosing cataracts. It uses a bright light and a microscope. During this exam, you will sit in a chair that faces a slit lamp. You will place your forehead and chin on the support rests. A slit-lamp enables your ECP to see the inner structures of your eyes. Sometimes, eye doctors use a fluorescein dye on your eyes. The dye may be administered by touching the white of your eye with a thin strip of paper or by using an eyedropper. Your eye specialist will also widen your pupils with dilating eye drops. Expect to wait for 20 minutes for the solution to take effect.

• Visual acuity and refraction test. This is a common diagnostic exam that assesses your vision. It uses a chart to determine if you have refractive errors, glares, or other factors that affect your good vision.
  
   

Proper Care

Here are some of the known treatments for cataracts:

• Home remedies. You can use a magnifying glass for reading, use brighter lights when you’re working, or wear anti-glare eyeglasses.

• Prescription eyewear. Your ECP can give you new prescription contact lenses or eyeglasses that can help manage your cataracts.

• Cataract surgery. This type of cataract care can help if your cataracts are already impairing your eyesight. Cataract surgery involves the removal of the clouded natural lens and the placement of a new intraocular lens. This is a safe procedure that has proven to be highly effective.
  
  
   

You should talk to your eye doctor regarding the right options for you when it comes to the diagnosis and care of your cataracts. At Today’s Vision, we always encourage our patients to keep their eye exam appointments. That way, we can catch early signs of cataract formation and treat them immediately. Please visit our clinic in Laguna Niguel, California, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 949-518-0055 if you want to schedule an appointment or make inquiries about our cataract diagnoses and care packages.

References:

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/cataracts-treatment

https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(16)31418-X/pdf