I work in community eye care practice. Some of my older patients have cataracts and they either don’t want to undergo cataract removal or have been advised by eye doctors not to have cataract removal operations. They often compare of problems with glare even in their own homes under what I would describe as ‘normal lighting’. How can I help them?

People with cataract often complain of problems with glare. These include eye discomfort and reduced vision and sometimes both.

When outside these problems can be helped with prescription sunglasses or photochromics. However, when inside prescription sunglasses are often too dark and most traditional photochromics don’t get darker inside because of a lack of UV light. There are more modern photochromics that do get darker inside. However, sometimes indoor light can get behind the frames and cause problems with glare.

In my experience, some patients with cataracts will say they can see better by placing a hand across their brow line to act as a sun shield. This cuts down on light coming from above and interfering with light coming from the object they want to see. This is similar to the effect of using a sun visor in a car when driving into the sun.

Recently, I have found that a sun visor can be of great help. They prevent light from above, getting behind the glasses and into the eye. These come in a variety of colours and styles, are easily adjustable, readily available and are low cost. They can be easily adjusted and fitted by patients and used inside with every day prescription clear glasses and outside with prescription sunglasses or photochromics. Patients often prefer a sun visor to a baseball cap as a sun visor doesn’t interfere with the hair and can be more comfortable.

Sometimes visual problems need a different type of solution.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

If you like EyeTools Questions of the Day…

Children’s Eye Examinations
How to Run a Successful Low Vision Clinic
How to Run a Successful Optometry Practice

EyeTools.Education

 

NEW WEBINARS ADDED REGULARLY – this is for:
– Optometry students
– Pre-registration and novice optometrists
– Optometrists returning to work
– Junior eye doctors
– Dispensing opticians and orthoptists preparing for refraction exams
– Contact lens opticians, clinical assistants and eyecare educators

Improve your optometry skills with introductory & specialist instruction videos, topical live & recorded expert webinars, presentations and book reviews.

Start with the first section, ‘Pre-refraction procedures’ free, then choose a monthly or yearly subscription. To see English captions, click the CC button on any video.