Cataract Diagnosis & Treatment

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye that can interfere with vision. Cataracts often develop with age and can be influenced by systemic conditions like diabetes, eye injuries, or certain medications. Early signs may include blurred vision, increased glare, difficulty reading, and reduced contrast sensitivity.

Why a Cataract Evaluation Matters

A cataract evaluation helps your eye doctor determine:

Whether a cataract is present
How much it affects your vision
If monitoring or treatment is necessary

Early assessment ensures your vision is closely monitored and helps your doctor plan appropriate care.

What to Expect During Your Cataract Evaluation

Your evaluation at Summit Eye Care includes a detailed examination using advanced diagnostic tools. Typical components include:

Medical & Vision History Review
Discussion of your symptoms, vision difficulties, overall health, and medications.
Vision Testing & Visual Acuity
Eye chart assessments measure how clearly you see at various distances.
Comprehensive Eye Exam
Using a slit lamp, your doctor examines the eye’s front and central structures, including the lens, to assess the presence and severity of cataracts.
Pupil Dilation & Retinal Evaluation
Dilating drops may be used so the retina and optic nerve can be examined in detail, helping to rule out other eye conditions.
Tonometry (Eye Pressure Check)
Measures the pressure inside your eyes to screen for glaucoma, which can coexist with cataracts.

After your exam, your doctor will review the results and recommend monitoring or further evaluation as needed.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

The only effective treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery, which removes the cloudy lens and restores clear vision. Non-surgical options, such as glasses or magnification, may help temporarily but cannot stop cataracts from progressing.

Click Here to Learn More About Cataract Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this appointment take?

This appointment will typically take about 2 hours.

Do I need a driver for this appointment?

You will be dilated for this exam. You may bring a driver if preferred.

What happens during this appointment?

For your initial preoperative consultation, you will meet with one of our technicians for a brief work-up. Then, you will meet with the surgeon, Dr. Khemsara, to discuss your diagnosis and recommendations. Finally, you will meet with a surgical coordinator to schedule dates for surgery.

Will this be my only appointment prior to surgery?

No. Once you have scheduled your surgery, we will also get you scheduled for an appointment to get your pre-operative measurements. This will be a separate visit.

Do I need to have an implant for cataract surgery?

Yes, an intraocular lens is required to replace the focusing power of your natural lens.

What lens options will be discussed?

Dr. Khemsara will review available intraocular lens (IOL) options, including lenses that help to correct astigmatism or reduce dependence on glasses. We offer advanced lens technologies from Alcon, RxSight, and Zeiss.

What are the first signs of cataracts?

Early cataract symptoms often include blurry vision, glare from headlights, faded colors, halos around lights, and difficulty seeing at night.

Why is my night vision getting worse?

Difficulty seeing at night is one of the most common symptoms of cataracts because the cloudy lens scatters incoming light.

Why do headlights look too bright while driving?

Cataracts often cause glare and increased light sensitivity, especially from headlights at night.

Why do colors seem faded or yellow?

As cataracts develop, the natural lens becomes cloudy and can make colors appear dull or yellowed.

Schedule Your Cataract Evaluation

If you notice cloudy vision, glare, or difficulty seeing clearly, contact Summit Eye Care in Winston‑Salem, NC to schedule a cataract evaluation. Our team provides thorough diagnostic testing and expert assessment to monitor your eye health.

Call us at 336.765.0960