What Are Cataracts?
7. Diagnosis
A diagnosis can be made based on the history and physical examination of the patient. The doctor must perform thorough ocular tests to diagnose cataracts and/or rule out other conditions that can cause vision disturbances. To assess the ability of a person to discern the details of objects in their vision, a visual acuity test should be performed. A standardized chart will be used to measure the patient’s ability to read a sequence of letters that range in sizes. Additionally, a slit-lamp examination will magnify the structures of the anterior part of the eye under an intense line of light (slit), allowing the doctor to detect any abnormalities on the cornea, iris, lens, and the space between the iris and cornea. Finally, the doctor may evaluate the retina (back of the eye) in a retinal exam.
As part of the preoperative screening process, laboratory tests to detect coexisting diseases such as cardiac anomalies, hypertension, and diabetes can help to decrease surgical complications. For example, patients with low platelet levels have been found to have increased bleeding and should be managed properly before surgery. Imaging studies for the eyes such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and ultrasonography can be used to view the back of the eye. This helps the planning of the surgery and to determine the postoperative prognosis.
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