Accurate Cataract Diagnosis
At Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC, our doctors can provide prompt, accurate cataract diagnosis. Our Philadelphia, PA, office is fully equipped with the modern tests and technology necessary to identify a range of vision conditions. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is very important, as some of the symptoms of a cataract can also present for other eye conditions. If you are experiencing changes in your vision, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. We can identify the cause of your vision issues, and provide the technologically advanced treatment necessary to help you see clearly again.
Diagnostic Tools for Cataracts
Diagnosing cataracts is relatively straightforward and typically simple:
Visual Acuity Test
A visual acuity test uses an eye chart to measure how well you can see. This is one of the most common vision examinations. Some patients score highly on a visual acuity test, but present other symptoms that would indicate the presence of cataracts.
Slit Lamp Examination
Using light and magnification, a slit lamp exam allows an ophthalmologist to examine the inner structures of the eye. A slit lamp exam can illuminate the cornea, iris, lens, and the spaces in between these parts of the eye. It allows your doctor to detect any small white spots in the lens, which can indicate a cataract. Additionally, because this test allows us to illuminate many structures of the eye, we are able to check for other conditions as well.
Glare and Contrast Sensitivity Tests
While both of these tests are similar to a standard visual acuity test, they measure different aspects of your vision. In a glare test, you will be asked to read an eye chart under different lighting conditions. Difficulty identifying letters under bright lights (because of glare) is often an indication of cataracts.
Contrast sensitivity testing involves reading a different type of eye chart. On this chart, the letters do not differ in size; instead, they begin to fade. The letters at the bottom of the chart do not contrast with the white background as much as the letters at the top. Cataract patients often have difficulty distinguishing the letters at the bottom of the chart.
Additional Testing
Your ophthalmologist may recommend that you participate in the Ishihara Color Test, a tonometry test, or pupil dilation to examine the other structures of your eye, and to rule out other possible eye conditions. If you are diagnosed with cataracts, our practice offers corrective laser surgery, the only permanent treatment for cataracts. During this procedure, the clouded crystalline lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL), restoring clear vision. Drs. Francis Clark and Jon Peet perform cataract surgery using a femtosecond laser, a technologically advanced tool that minimizes risks, and helps patients recover quickly and comfortably.
Schedule a Cataract Consultation
If you have started to experience blurred vision or any loss of visual acuity, please contact our office to make an appointment with one of our doctors. We can identify your needs and provide an effective treatment.
