Evaluation of the
Mature Cataract
Baxter McLendon MD FACS
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina USA

Many ocular surveys have reported poor vision post cataract surgery as a leading cause of blindness.
WHY IS THIS ?
Poor pre-op evaluation/ selection probably accounts for some of this blindness.

The Problem
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No view of posterior pole with mature
(white or brown) cataract
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All mature cataracts should NOT automatically under go surgery

Pre-op Slit Lamp
Evaluation
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IOP 08 - 22 mm Hg
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No bullous keratopathy
•
Red reflex present
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No anterior uveitis / cells in A. C.
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No vitreous in A.C. / no rubeosis
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No phacodonesis / iridodonesis
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No traumatic mydriasis
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No iris retroillumination defect
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No pupillary ruff abnormality/ defect

B Scan (Ultrasound)
May Help Diagnose
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Retinal Detachment
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Vitreous Opacity [ blood, etc. ]
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Posterior Pole Tumor
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Choroidal Detachment
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Posterior Scleral Thickening
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Staphyloma

Three Step Clinical
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Test
Takes 90 seconds / easy
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Can be done in or outside the clinic setting especially when B Scan is not available
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No additional cost/ travel for patient
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Helps determine post-op PROGNOSIS

#1 Check Pupils
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Dim the lights
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Have patient look (fixate) at end of room
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Brisk or sluggish pupil compared to other eye
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Afferent pupillary defect (Marcus Gunn)

#2 Color Perception
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Only one chance to do test correctly.
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Don’t let pt see test color pre - testing
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Cover/occlude completely the other eye
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Dim the lights (illumination)
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“ What color is this light?”

#2 Color Perception
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Check color red: red, pink, orange, or yellow are all acceptable answers
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Check color blue: blue or green are acceptable [ correct ]

If the patient can
NOT distinguish colors do NOT operate on mature cataract

#3 Light Projection
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Dilate mature cataract pupil
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Have patient look at the light. “ Where is the light“. “Follow the light “
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Have pt. point in the direction of the light [ up, down, right, left, etc. ]

Three Step Clinical
Test
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Checking pupils: optic nerve
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Checking color perception: macula and optic nerve
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Light projection: retinal detachment, diffuse C-R, and advanced glaucoma

In Conclusion
If all three tests are normal, then the prognosis is usually quite good for improved vision after mature cataract surgery.
This is quick, easy, and in 90 seconds you can determine if the patient is a good candidate or not for mature cataract extraction