The British Columbia Council on Clinical Practice Guidelines has endorsed the recommendations of a guideline produced by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC for the treatment of cataract in adults. Recommendations Non-Surgical Management During early cataract development, visual improvement may be achieved through a number of means including changes in distance spectacle lens prescription, use of strong bifocals, magnification or other visual aids, and appropriate illumination.
Pupillary dilatation has a limited role in the management of posterior subcapsular cataracts.
Special pre-operative tests such as contrast sensitivity testing, glare testing, potential vision testing and specular photographic microscopy are of limited value in deciding to recommend or not recommend cataract surgery. Cataract surgery may be indicated when the cataract reduces visual function to a level that interferes with everyday activities of the patient. The indications for surgery in patients with cataract in one eye who are legally blind in the other eye are the same as for other patients, except that the risk of total blindness must be considered and emphasized. Concomitant ocular disease that requires clear media. Cataract extraction may be required to adequately diagnose other ocular conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.