Cataract Care

Cataract Testing

Advanced technology in cataract testing at Advanced Cataract and Glaucoma Care PLLC allows us to personalize your care. We invest heavily in advanced technology to stay on the leading edge to better serve our patients. The following cataract testing methods are among some of the advanced testing methodologies we utilize in our practice.

Refraction and Visual Acuity Test 
Sometimes cataract changes can be compensated with an eyeglasses update.  This must be checked to ensure that cataract surgery is the next appropriate step.  Some insurances (such as Medicare) have determined that refractions (eyeglasses checks) are not a covered service, even though it is a necessary step of the evaluation process, so there may be separate charges for this.

Slit Lamp Exam
This ophthalmological eye exam uses a specially designed microscope to examine the cornea, iris, lens and front of the eye.

Retinal and Optic Nerve Exam
This exam is done while your pupils (iris) are dilated to more completely evaluate the cataract and to look for other causes of vision loss of the retina or optic nerve in the back of the eye.

Information adapted from:  Florida Board of Medicine and Florida Board of Osteopathic medicine approved informed consent form for cataract operation with or without implantation of intraocular lens.

OCT
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a high definition scan of the macula, retina, and optic nerve.  Dr. Sheets uses state of the art, higher resolution spectral domain OCT to best evaluate these areas.

Topography
Topography is utilized to study the curvature of the clear cornea in the front of the eye.   This is used to look for corneal disease and astigmatism – an abnormal curvature of the cornea.   Patients with significant astigmatism can be left with more dependence on eyeglasses.  Fortunately, patients can elect cornea and lens options for treating astigmatism during cataract surgery.

IOL Calculations
Removing the cataract lens leaves the eye out of focus, so an IOL (intraocular lens) is placed to try to bring the eye back into focus.  The IOL power is chosen using the aid of a series of calculations based mostly on the length and shape of the eye using special machines that help take these measurements.