About Cataract Surgery, Delray Beach Location, Eye Exams, Lake Worth Location, Laser Cataract Surgery, Our Team, Premium IOLs

Cataracts often develop slowly, so the first signs of cataracts like a slight blur, extra glare at night, or colors that look a little dull can be easy to miss. With a careful exam, however, our ophthalmologists can identify cataracts early long before they severely impact your daily life.

At Palm Beach Eye Center in Lake Worth and Delray Beach, our dedicated team provides thorough eye evaluations using state-of-the-art diagnostic cataract tests to confirm whether a cataract is present and to gauge how much it is affecting your vision. If you’re noticing vision changes you think may be related to cataracts, understanding the diagnostic process and treatment options thereafter can help you plan your next step with confidence.

What are the early signs of cataracts?

Many patients with early cataracts describe a gradual fog over their vision that glasses no longer fix. You might notice more glare from headlights, halos around lights, or trouble reading in low light. Colors can appear washed out, and you may find yourself updating your prescription more frequently with little improvement. While these common signs and symptoms of cataracts don’t prove definitively that you have a clouded lens, they are common triggers for a professional exam, where our team can separate normal refractive changes from lens clouding that needs closer monitoring.

How is a cataract diagnosed during an eye exam?

A cataract diagnosis starts with a conversation about your vision, medical history, and day-to-day challenges, like night driving, screen work, reading, and outdoor activities. Our team then performs a comprehensive eye exam that evaluates how clearly you see at distance and near, how your eyes respond to bright light, and whether your current prescription still serves you.

After dilating your pupils, we assess the lens and retina directly. Dilation for cataract diagnosis is an important step because it widens the view of the lens, allowing us to identify early clouding, gauge its location, and determine whether it explains your cataract symptoms or if something else may be contributing.

What test confirms cataracts?

Cataract evaluations combine both our clinical experience with advanced diagnostic technologies to give a complete picture of your eye health. Some of the tests and steps that may be included in a cataract evaluation and diagnosis are:

  • Visual acuity
  • Slit lamp test
  • Pupil dilation
  • Retinal exam
  • Refraction

When should you get tested for cataracts?

If you are over 40 or if you have diabetes, a family history of cataracts, prior eye injury, or significant UV exposure routine comprehensive eye exams are a smart habit. You should also book an evaluation for cataracts if you notice persistent glare, difficulty with night driving, frequent prescription changes, or blur that no longer clears with glasses.

It’s also worth noting that early diagnosis doesn’t always mean you have to get immediate treatment. Many early cataracts may be safely observed with periodic check-ins while you make small lifestyle adjustments like brighter task lighting or anti-glare lenses.

For patients who are ready to have their cataracts addressed, we will walk you through the process of laser cataract surgery, how to select a premium IOL for cataract surgery, and other details. Again, our caring team is here to help you better understand what may be contributing to your vision changes, what your personal cataract risk factors are, and what options you have to enjoy or restore the clearer vision you deserve when it’s the right time.

Take back control with advanced cataract diagnosis and treatment in Palm Beach County, FL

A clear diagnosis whether of cataracts or another vision problem is the first step toward treatment to restore clarity. When cataracts begin to interfere with reading, driving, or the activities you love, our team will discuss timing for cataract surgery and review advanced intraocular lens options to match your goals, including choices that reduce dependence on glasses or address astigmatism. With a personalized plan and state-of-the-art technology, we focus on results you can see and feel in everyday life. If you are experiencing signs of cataracts or are due for an eye exam, contact us at Palm Beach Eye Center in Lake Worth or Delray Beach, FL to schedule your cataract evaluation.