Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- subjective decrease in vision
- blurred or cloudy vision
- glare
- washed-out color vision
- reduced visual acuity
- defects in the red reflex
Other diagnostic factors
- inadequate glasses prescription
- disruption of activities of daily living
Risk factors
- age >65 years
- smoking
- long-term UV exposure
- diabetes mellitus
- other metabolic or hereditary conditions
- eye trauma
- long-term ocular corticosteroid use
- FHx of congenital cataract or congenital influences (e.g., toxins)
- uveitis
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- dilated fundus exam
- measurement of intraocular pressure
- glare vision test
- slit lamp exam of the anterior chamber
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors VIEW ALL
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Byers Eye Institute
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford
CA
Disclosures
RTC declares that he has received consultancy fees from Alcon, makers of cataract surgery equipment, but has no contractual agreement.
Dr Robert T. Chang would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Creig Hoyt, Dr Leela V. Raju, and Dr M. Bowes Hamill, previous contributors to this topic. CH, LVR, and MBH declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers VIEW ALL
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Cornea External Disease and Refractive Surgery Local Director
Long Island College Hospital Eye Center
Brooklyn
NY
Disclosures
MPE declares that he has no competing interests.
Senior Lecturer/Consultant in Ophthalmology
University of Southampton
Southampton
UK
Disclosures
PH declares that he has no competing interests.
Assistant Professor
Ophthalmology
University of New Mexico Medical School
Albuquerque
NM
Disclosures
BA declares that he has no competing interests.
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