Screening
People aged >65 years having difficulty with vision should be examined for cataracts. A dull reflex on direct ophthalmoscopy in a patient of any age should also prompt a full examination by an ophthalmologist.
Visual acuity should be tested with the best-corrected spectacle correction. Then, a dilated examination should be performed to examine the lens and ensure there are no signs of glaucoma or retinal disease to explain the decreased vision. In children, and in adults unable to cooperate, examination and comparison of the red reflex can help quantify the severity of the cataract.[36]
For asymptomatic adults who are 65 years or older, the US Preventive Services Task Force concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening for impaired visual acuity.[37][38]
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