Diagnosis of Cataracts
Diagnosing cataracts is a simple, painless, and non-invasive process that can be done during a routine eye check-up. If you’re experiencing blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, or frequent changes in your glasses prescription, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) will perform a comprehensive eye examination to find out if cataracts are the cause.
Here’s what typically happens during the diagnostic process:
1. Visual Acuity Test
This is one of the first tests you’ll undergo. You’ll be asked to read letters on a standard eye chart, which helps the doctor measure the sharpness and clarity of your vision at various distances. If your vision is blurry even with glasses, it could be a sign of a developing cataract.
2. Slit-Lamp Examination
A slit lamp is a special microscope that allows the doctor to take a close-up look at the front structures of your eye — including your cornea, iris, and lens. With this tool, the doctor can easily spot early cloudiness or opacities forming on the natural lens, which is a clear indicator of cataract formation.
3. Retinal Examination (Dilated Eye Exam)
Your eye doctor will place dilating eye drops to widen your pupils, giving them a better view of the lens and retina at the back of your eye. Using a bright light and magnifying lens, they’ll examine your retina and optic nerve to check for other eye conditions that may be affecting your vision, such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. This test is crucial for ruling out other potential causes of blurred vision.
4. Tonometry
This test measures the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside your eye. While not directly related to cataracts, it helps rule out glaucoma, a common eye disease that can occur alongside cataracts. Elevated eye pressure can damage the optic nerve, so it’s important to assess your overall eye health during the cataract exam.