Optometric Management of Cataract Px

Prevalence

• Increases with age. Approaches 100% if lens opacities are included
• Patient defines whether it's visually significant

Risk Factors

• Exposure to UV light
• Smoking
• Heavy drinking
• Family/Genetic
• Race (higher in indian population)

Vision in Cataract

• Decreased light transmission of short wavelength light esp if the cataract is nuclear
• Refractive change - myopic shift, cyl changes
• Light scatter - glare, decreased contrast sensitivity, decreased VA

Management Pathway

• Px attends optom, cataract diagnosed and discussed, risks and benefits of surgery discussed. Px wishes to proceed and info given. Px offered choice of hospital and appointment agreed
• Px attends HES outpatient appointment w/ophthalmologist, pre-assessment w/nurse, date for surgery arranged/agreed. Details of current medication received from the optom/GP/Px
• Patient attends HES and day case surgery undertaken
• Patient attends HES or optom for final check, sight test. Px discharged or 2nd eye discussed and appt arranged