Today clinical class included a presentation on cataracts.  Cataracts is an important topic to discuss with the elderly especially because it appears to be an age related change most will experience although it can be caused by a number of  other reasons. A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. It is the most common cause of blindness and is usually treated with surgery. Vision loss occurs because opacity of  the lens impedes light from passing and focusing on to the retina . The disease is usually detected by a visual acuity test where the Opthamologist place a Snellen chart and asks the patient to read the most visible line. In addition to the general knowledge, the main point that the presenter(Karla) place  emphasis on was yearly eye examination especially in light of other co-morbidities such as diabetes.  Recognizing that those with cataract commonly experience difficulty appreciating colors and changes in contrast, driving, reading, recognizing faces, and experience problems coping with glare from bright light were some of the other  major points . Overall I thought this was useful presentation in that the residents were enthused and eager to learn as most of them had already had their lenses replaced. Furthermore, most of the residents verbalized that they would visit their eye doctor yearly and more frequently if they experience any vision loss.

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