Diagnostics

Visual acuity

• May be normal in patients with early cataracts

• Typically decreases with cataract progression

• Cortical cataracts may manifest as hyperopia.

Fundoscopy

• Changes to the red reflex, including:

  • Opacities (including leukocoria)

  • Darkening

  • Absent or decreased red reflex

• Obscuration of ocular fundus detail

Slit-lamp examination

• Common: grey, white, yellow, or brownish clouding of the lens (see also “Types of cataracts”)

• Traumatic cataract: rosette/stellate-shaped clouding of the lens

Differential diagnosis of reduced visual acuity

• Age-related macular degeneration

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Glaucoma