Cataracts cause varying degrees of visual loss. The main indication for cataract surgery is when a person’s visual function no longer meets his or her needs and cataract extraction will provide improved vision. This level of visual impairment is subjective and differs considerably among individuals. Nevertheless, insurance carriers typically choose 20/40 Snellen visual acuity as the threshold for cataract surgery, since this level of sight is required for driving. However, visual acuity can be quite variable depending upon the testing conditions, test distance, and type of cataract. Therefore it may be difficult to appreciate the impact of a cataract on the patient’s vision especially when he or she can see better than 20/40.
We are often limited in our ability to adequately comprehend what a patient describes as decreased, blurry, or poor vision, because we can only test isolated components of visual function like Snellen acuity, contrast sensitivity, glare, color vision, and visual field. These tests give us incomplete information about a patient’s visual performance. For example, a patient may see 20/20 in each eye, but complain that while the vision in one eye is sharp and crisp, the vision in the fellow eye is blurred. It can be difficult to determine the visual significance of such a cataract since our tests do not enable us to accurately understand the quality of the patient’s sight.
Our practice has years of experience fitting contact lenses, in even the most difficult cases. If you’re interested in contacts, be sure to inform the doctor during your comprehensive eye exam. A contact lens examination may be a separate exam that requires additional testing than the standard comprehensive eye exam. During the examination, be sure to discuss your contact lens preferences with us. This may include daily disposable options, or even cosmetic contact lenses to change your eye color.
The eye doctor will fit you with a trial pair of lenses and examine a proper fit and prescription that’s right for you. You can expect to schedule a follow-up contact lens eye exam within two weeks for further evaluation of how your eyes are adjusting to your contact lenses.
We believe it is important to emphasize that a contact lens is a medical device that requires routine care. The lens must be a proper fit to work safely and correctly, and to be comfortable. Seeing your eye doctor on a regular basis will ensure that you are wearing contact lenses with the most appropriate and up-to-date prescription, and that you’re caring for the contacts (and your eyes) correctly.
If you have any questions about the fit of your lenses, how to interpret your contact lens prescription, or any other questions about your contacts, please ask the eye doctor. We are here, not only to make sure you see clearly, but also to answer any of your questions or concerns.