Cataract diagnosis begins with a complete eye exam. The ophthalmic assistant, technician, or nurse gathers information to determine the progression of the vision loss. It is unusual for cataracts to cause rapid vision loss, but sometimes patients believe the vision problem is acute because vision in the better eye has only recently been compromised. Patient history includes a review of refractive history, previous ocular disease, ambylopia, eye surgery, and trauma. Ophthalmic personnel also question patients about difficulties driving, reading, and performing daily activities, and record any medication the patient currently uses.

The ocular exam determines the severity of the cataract and assesses other factors that might contribute to the potential for good vision after surgery. The exam includes measurement of visual acuity under both low and high illumination, biomicroscopy with pupillary dilation, stereoscopic fundus examination with pupillary dilation, assessment of ocular motility and binocularity, visual fields, evaluation of pupillary responses, refraction, and measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP).

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3. Cataracts Treatment