Cataracts are diagnosed with an eye examination. Although the symptoms are quite helpful in diagnosing a cataract, they can also be caused by other eye conditions, such as glaucoma. An ophthalmologist will dilate the pupil with eye drops and use a slit-lamp microscope to look at the lens and into the back of the eye.[1]
How are cataracts diagnosed?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Cataracts are diagnosed through an eye examination conducted by an ophthalmologist, who dilates the pupil and uses a slit-lamp microscope to examine the lens and the back of the eye. Although symptoms can aid in diagnosis, they may also indicate other eye conditions like glaucoma.