Cataract Treatment
The first step
in cataract
treatment is to
determine the
presence of a
cataract and to
evaluate what
effect the
cataract is
having on your
vision. This is
accomplished
with a complete
eye examination
that includes
sophisticated
tests and
extensive
"hands-on"
examination by
Dr. Newsom and
Dr. Sweeney.
First, a visual
acuity test is
performed to
assess the
ability to see
detail with your
central vision.
A refraction
that follows
will determine
how beneficial
your current
prescriptive
glasses are and
whether a change
in your glasses
will be helpful.
This also tells
the doctor what
your best visual
acuity can be
with corrective
lenses.
Subsequent tests
include:
•
Tonometry, a
screening
test for
glaucoma
•
Keratometry,
which measures
the curve of the
cornea
•
An A-Scan
test which
helps
determine
the
refractive
power of the
intraocular
lens implant
that
is used
to replace
your eye's
own cloudy
lens
Further
examination
involves Glare
Testing (BAT),
which helps
evaluate how
much the
cataract is
interfering with
your vision, and
a Potential
Acuity Meter
(PAM) which
helps determine
how much
improvement may
be obtained by
removing the
cataract.
Visual-field
testing may also
be necessary.
The Doctor's
"hands-on"
examination is
quite thorough
as he checks for
any other
possible disease
that may be
present in your
eye. This
examination
includes
external
examination of
the lids and lid
margins, slit
lamp
(microscopic)
examination of
the front part
of the eye which
includes the
lens, and an
indirect
ophthalmic
(microscopic)
examination of
the retina and
the back part of
the eye.
Once a cataract
has been
diagnosed, it is
up to you to
decide how it
affects your
life and when
you should have
the cataract
removed. The
best guideline
is to take
action when the
cataract starts
interfering with
your work or
normal
activities.
Cataract
development
varies from
person to
person, and
there are no
medicines or
diets that will
prevent
cataracts.
Today, there is
no reason to let
a cataract
change your
lifestyle. You
need not wait
for your
cataract to be
"ripe" before
treatment.
Cataracts
generally are
removed when the
patient's vision
is significantly
reduced.
However, there
are times when
surgery is vital
for the health
of the eye.
Fortunately,
most of the
time, a cataract
does not
endanger the
health of the
eye.
