Sometimes your insurance will require a second opinion or you may want a second opinion. Some ophthalmologists do not use contrast sensitivity tests, glare disability tests, or patient visual questionnaires. If they base their opinion on the Snellen visual acuity test alone, they will be providing an opinion with incomplete information about your visual function. This is analogous to testing your hearing with the loudest tone and a mixed frequency or multiple tones. No audiologist or ENT (ears, nose, and throat) doctor would place any credence in that kind of hearing test to determine if a hearing aid or surgery is needed on your ear. Incomplete information often leads to an under call for cataract surgery. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, Cataract and Refractive Surgical Society and Geriatric Ophthalmology Society has written that the Snellen visual acuity test alone has been shown to be a poor predictor of cataract visual function. We will go over the tests, which include the glare and contrast sensitivity (both night and day), with you. You will be provided a copy of these special tests if you desire so that you can bring them with you to your second opinion doctor. Many ophthalmologists don't perform these tests yet.

Also, remember that the decision to recommend cataract surgery to an individual depends upon what surgical technique or what technology your second opinion surgeon uses or is familiar with. Some ophthalmologists don't do cataract surgery, hence they are not familiar with the rapid changing technology and do not have a working knowledge of it. Some ophthalmologists use older technology and advise people to wait longer to have cataract surgery because of the induced astigmatism, longer visual recovery time and unstable refractive results which occurred in the old form of cataract surgery.