Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Cataracts

Limit Driving At Night

Patients with cataracts may need to limit driving at night, particularly as their cataracts become more advanced. The nearsightedness and blurred, low vision cataract patients typically an increased risk of having an accident while driving, potentially endangering their lives and the lives of others. Patients who have concerns about their eye health or cataracts should see an optometrist regularly and follow their doctor's suggestions about whether or not they should drive. Patients who are fit to drive may wish to do so only during the day, and doctors may suggest they only drive on roads with low-speed limits or only around town. Patients who cannot drive because of cataracts can usually find help with transportation through local taxi companies, public transportation, as well as family or friends.

Slit-Lamp Examination

Cataracts can be diagnosed with the use of a test referred to as a slit-lamp examination. A slit-lamp exam is usually performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. A slit-lamp examination is also commonly referred to as biomicroscopy in the medical community. Before a slit-lamp examination, eye drops are used to help the specialist identify any abnormalities in the patient's eyes during the exam. The eye drops used during this diagnostic test contain fluorescein, a yellow dye. This dye washes the tears away and helps make the pupils larger. A slit lamp or high-intensity light is used in conjunction with a low-powered microscope to examine the eyes. A patient's eyelids, iris, sclera, retina, conjunctiva, lens, cornea, and optic nerve can be examined. Because cataracts are an abnormal clouding of the lens, the slit-lamp examination can identify their presence.