Ophthalmologist
Various testing and measurements will be taken at your appointment to ensure the overall health of your eyes. Specific measurements will be taken that directly applies to your cataract and potential surgery. These tests are:
- PAM (Potential Acuity Measurement): estimates how well your vision may improve after cataract surgery.
- IOL Master (M-Scan) or Ultrasound: basic measurement needed to calculate the power of IOL to be implanted. It measures the axial length, anterior chamber depth of your eye, and the basic curvature of your cornea. This is necessary for ALL lens options.
- Corneal Topography: NOT COVERED BY MSP: An optional test, computerized, high-definition map of the anterior curvature and shape of the cornea, which can affect decisions for surgical planning ie: where the surgical corneal wound can be made for best visual outcome. Occasionally the tear film may be inadequate or distorted resulting in inaccurate corneal topography results due to dry eyes. Patients may need special drops to increase the volume or quality of the tear film ie: Xiidra or Restasis. If artificial tears and medications cannot manage the dry eye problem, Lipiflow treatment may be recommended to stabilize the tear film to try and achieve more comfort. Lipiflow is an optional service not covered by MSP. "Treatments and therapies continue to emerge for MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction), offering clinicians new options to develop customised treatment strategies to help improve patients quality of life and optimise results from cataract and refractive surgery (Eurotimes Supplement October 2020)".
The views and opinions expressed here are those of Dr. David Butler. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of manufacturers or other doctors. Revised February 22, 2021.