Cataract is an eye condition which happens to a significant percentage of people as a result of aging. An optometrist in Mississauga diagnoses it by performing a comprehensive medical eye examination. The eye examination near you includes the following:
A Health and Medication History
- Your overall health and that of your immediate family.
- The medications you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter ones.
- Questions about high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and sun exposure.
A Vision History
- How well you can see at present, including any recent changes in your vision.
- Eye diseases that you or your family members have had including macular degeneration and glaucoma.
- Previous eye treatments, surgeries, or injuries
- The date of your last eye examination done
A Refraction, or Visual Acuity Testing
- Distance and near vision acuity tests in ON for determining the sharpness or clarity of your reading and distance vision.
- Testing your own vision with different lenses for determining if your vision can be improved or corrected with the help of regular glasses or contact lenses.
Visual Field Testing
- For finding out how much side vision you have and how much surrounding area you can see.
- The most common type of visual field test in a regular eye exam is called confrontation field test in which the doctor flashes several fingers in each of the four quadrants of your visual field while seated opposite you.
An Eye Health Evaluation
- An examination of the external parts of your eyes and your lens using a special microscope called a slit lamp. The doctor will look for yellowing of the lens, clefts, or white opacities which indicate the presence of cataracts.
- A dilated eye examination which consists using an ophthalmoscope. Special eye drops such as tropicamide will dilate or open the pupil which allows the doctor to observe the internal parts of your eye, including retina, and optic nerve.
- A test of the fluid pressure within your eyes.
It’s recommended that individuals above the age of 40 get a dilated eye examination done from an ophthalmologist at least every two years.
