Cataracts Presentation Referral and Post-op Care course for GPs

This session provides core knowledge about managing patients who present with cataracts in primary care; their presentation, risk factors, management and postoperative care.

This session was reviewed by Khyati Bakhai and last updated in April 2020.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• List the risk factors for cataracts and how they may present in primary care
• Describe the management options for cataracts
• State the rationale for deciding when to refer for surgical extraction
• Recognise the common problems that can occur in the postoperative period
• Describe the longer-term problems that can occur after cataract extraction

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, obstructing the passage of light.

Cataract is a common and important cause of treatable blindness worldwide.