Cataracts Exam
An exam for cataracts usually includes the following elements:
Visual Acuity
Using charts placed at different distances, your doctor will determine how well you can see objects at different distances, with or without corrective lenses.
Intraocular Pressure Test
This test measures pressure inside the eye. It can be conducted using an applanation tonometer, where a pressure-sensitive tip is gently placed against the eye.
Ophthalmoscopy
During this procedure, special drops will be placed in your eyes to dilate your pupils, giving your doctor a larger "window" to see inside the eye. The main objective is to observe the retina and the other internal structures of the eye.
Other tests may also be performed to learn more about how your eyes react under specific conditions.
Measurements
A measurement of the curvature of the cornea and length of the eye allows for the placement of the appropriate power intraocular lens. We offer our patients the most advanced measurement technology, the Lenstar LS900, to improve our surgical accuracy.
Preparing for the Exam
When you make your cataract consultation appointment please let the scheduler know if you currently wear soft or hard contact lenses. Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea and alter the measurements for the surgery.
If you wear soft contacts, please do not wear them for 48 consecutive hours before your appointment and on the day of your consultation.
If you wear hard contacts or gas permeable contacts, do not wear them for two consecutive weeks prior to your appointment and the day of your consultation. Patients who wear hard or gas permeable contacts will need to keep their contacts out for an additional week after your initial consultation.
You will then have a second set of measurements to check for consistency. We want to have the most accurate measurements possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.