Pre-Surgical Diagnostic Testing

PRE-SURGICAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Once you have decided to undergo cataract surgery, special diagnostic testing is recommended for each patient in order to select and position a lens implant (known commonly as an IOL) and help ensure the best possible visual outcome. 

Because your eyes work as a team, testing is performed on both eyes at the same visit to best understand how they are working together. These assessments are done only once per patient.

At your diagnostic testing visit, an ophthalmic technician will perform the testing. The tests include the IOL Master and Corneal Topography. You can read more about each of them on this page.

You will be scheduled for a further follow-up visit with your ophthalmologist to discuss surgery and lens implant option.

IOL MASTER

This scan is used to measure the length of the eye. Accurate measurements are of the utmost importance. Our machine, the IOL Master 700 provides the latest technology and is more accurate than any other method that has been used in the past, including ultrasound testing. It also provides data to complement the corneal topography and determine which lens options are available to you. An ultrasound called A-Scan is covered by OHIP and can be arranged in a different location. It is not as accurate as the IOL master as described above.

CORNEAL TOPOGRAPHY

This scan is used in conjunction with the IOL Master explained above to determine which specific lens type is best for you, how to best position that lens in the eye, and to ensure the absence of irregular curvature on the surface of your eye that could create unpredictable visual outcomes.