Cataracts

Related: conjunctivitis (pink eye), dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, photophobia, and watery eyes.

Common Examinations for Eye Problems:

The following are common exams for eye problems that your eye doctor or healthcare provider may perform on you:

• Fluorescein or Rose Bengal staining: To perform this exam, your eye care professional or healthcare provider may put special eye drops into your eyes. Using a special light, they can see if there are any problems with the surface of your eyes. This may be done if eye problems include having eye pain, trauma, or a feeling of itchy eyes.
• Ophthalmoscopy: This is when your healthcare provider uses an ophthalmoscope, to look at the back of your eye. They can see the structures of the eye, such as the lens, retina, blood veins and vessels. Your healthcare practitioner may do this in the office, whenever you notice any eye problems.
• Pupil dilation: The pupil is widened with special eye drops, to allow your healthcare provider or eye care professional to look more closely at the back of your eye.
• Tonometry: This test is performed when the examiner wants to check the fluid pressures in the eye. It may be using a manual, hand-held device, or a more modern machine that blows a "puff" of air into your eye. Increased pressure in your eye may be a sign of glaucoma.
• Visual acuity test: Your eye examiner will use a chart to test how well you can see at different distances. This test may be performed when you are getting new glasses or contact lenses.

Cataracts

Some medications such as bexarotene, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisone, prednisone and tamoxifen (in very rare cases) may contribute to the development of cataracts.

What is a cataract?

• Cataracts are painless, and lead to progressive loss of vision, which occurs over time.
• What happens? The lens, which is made of mostly water and protein, helps focus light on the retina, which is located in the back of the eye. The proteins allow light to pass through, so that you can see objects. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that prevents light from passing through. This causes your vision to become cloudier, over time, as the cataract grows larger.
• The cataracts won't spread from one eye to another. They usually occur in one eye.
• Most eye problems involving cataracts occur as a result of aging. Some other things that could contribute to cataracts include:
• Eye injury - from trauma, diabetes, exposure to toxic substances, or other diseases
• Long-term use of steroids
• Exposure to radiation, or x-ray therapy
• Long-term exposure to sunlight, or inflammation of the eye

What are some symptoms of eye problems to look for?

• You may experience cloudy or blurry vision.
• You may have trouble seeing in the dark, or at night. Nighttime driving may be difficult.
• Colors may appear to be faded, or dull.
• You may notice that lights appear to be too bright, or that there is a halo around lights.
• You may have to change your eyeglasses prescription frequently.
• You may have double vision, which worsens over time.

Note: These symptoms may be signs of other eye problems. Notify your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned here.

Things you can do about eye problems:

• It is important to notify your healthcare provider if you notice any change in vision or other eye problems that may be related to cataract formation. By using an eye chart, dilating your eyes, and checking the pressure of your lens (tonometry), your risk for developing glaucoma can be assessed.
• Using bright light when you are trying to read may help.
• Wear corrective lenses, such as glasses, to improve your vision.
• If the lens becomes extremely cloudy, and you are having trouble with your vision, surgery may be recommended by your eye doctor.
• Cataract surgery to correct eye problems is very common. Most eye doctors suggest that you wear glasses, and use bright lights if you have cataracts, before you decide upon surgery. The decision to have surgery should be discussed with your doctor.
• Follow all the instructions your doctor provides.
• Make sure to keep all appointments.
• Do not share your medications with anyone.

Drugs that may be prescribed by your doctor for eye problems:

• There are no drugs to date that are effective in treating cataracts.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about eye problems:

• If you develop any sudden severe eye pain.
• If you have a sudden loss of vision, or if you see halos around your eyes.
• If your eyes become sensitive to light.
• If your symptoms of eye problems worsen or do not improve within 3 days of treatment.
• As always, notify your doctor or healthcare provider if you are concerned about any of the symptoms you are experiencing.

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website about eye problems or other medical conditions is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.

Below are a few resources if you are interested in learning more about other forms of eye-related illnesses.

Glaucoma Research Foundation

200 Pine Street, Suite 200

San Francisco, CA 94104

Web site: http://www.glaucoma.org

National Eye Institute

Information Office

2020 Vision Place

Bethesda, MD 20892-2510

301-496-5248

Web site: http://www.nei.nih.gov

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website about eye problems and other medical information is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.