Diagnosing and Treating Cataracts

Cataracts usually worsen over time, resulting in a continuous reduction of vision. Ordinary activities like driving will be affected, and so can the overall quality of your life. If not treated, a patient can become legally blind or worse and suffer from total blindness. In some cases, changing your eyeglass prescription can help improve your vision if your cataract is getting worse. But there might be times that it will not. Since it’s impossible to accurately predict how quickly the disease will worsen, it would be best to see your eye doctor for a regular checkup. Here’s how they diagnose and treat cataracts:

What to Expect During Your Consultation

To determine whether or not you have a cataract, your eye doctor will give you a comprehensive eye examination, which includes:

• Health History Review. Your doctor will discuss your health history and that of your immediate family’s. They’d ask what prescription and over-the-counter medications you’re taking. They will determine whether you’re at an increased risk of developing cataracts due to underlying health issues and factors. These include smoking habits, overexposure to sunlight, hypertension, or diabetes.

• Vision History Check. Your doctor will also look into your eye and visual health. They will determine if you or any family member has glaucoma or any eye diseases. They will also consider whether you’ve had any eye-related trauma or injury and undergone surgeries or treatments.

• Diagnostic Eye Tests. Your doctor will then examine your eyes using specific tests. These usually include a visual acuity test to determine how well you see at varying distances. Another standard test is a slit-lamp exam to inspect your lens. This way, they’d know if you have a cataract and how severe it is. Your doctor may also perform a dilated eye exam and tonometry to detect the presence of cataracts.

Patients with cataracts in their early stages often find that changing their eyewear can significantly ease their symptoms. A new prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses will help you see better. The use of magnifying lenses for activities that require close work can also become helpful.

Most cataracts cause few symptoms and aren’t bothersome. In this case, you won’t require surgical treatment. But the only true cure is surgery. Once you start losing your ability to carry out day-to-day activities due to your cataracts, your eye doctor will recommend it to improve your vision. During your operation, the doctor will remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new, artificial one known as an intraocular lens. The procedure is very safe, and nine out of 10 patients can see better following the surgery.

Cataracts are a progressive eye disease. They start small and worsen over time. For this reason, you need to understand how advanced the disease is so you can treat the symptoms early on. With a quick yet complete assessment, your eye doctor will give you an accurate diagnosis. They will let you know if surgery is necessary. Do you want to see if you’re a good candidate for the procedure? Contact the Eyecare Center of Martin today in Martin, Tennessee, to schedule your appointment. You can also call us at 731-587-3555.