Cataracts - When To Call a Doctor

When To Call a Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• Severe eye pain.
• A sudden change in your vision, such as loss of vision or double vision.

Call your doctor to discuss your symptoms if you:

• Need frequent changes in your eyeglasses prescription.
• Have blurred or double vision that develops slowly.
• Are having a problem seeing during the daytime because of glare.
• Have difficulty driving at night because of glare from headlights.
• Have vision problems that are affecting your ability to perform daily activities.

If you are an older adult, discuss with your health professional how often you need to have routine eye exams.

If a doctor has not determined that you have cataracts but you have symptoms that concern you, see the topic Eye Problems, Noninjury to find more information on what to do about your symptoms.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. Watchful waiting is safe and appropriate in most cases of adult cataracts. If you think your child has a cataract, see your health professional. Cataracts in children should be treated right away.

Speak with an ophthalmologist about surgery to remove cataracts. In most cases, you can decide if you want or need surgery based on whether vision problems caused by the cataract are interfering with your daily activities.

Who To See

The following health professionals can evaluate vision problems that may be caused by a cataract:

• Ophthalmologist
• Optometrist
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• Family medicine doctor
• Internist
• Pediatrician

While other health professionals may be able to detect problems that may be caused by cataracts, only an ophthalmologist can treat cataracts.

An ophthalmologist can help with the decision to have surgery and can perform the surgery, if necessary.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment