Astigmatism means the front of the eye is more oval-shaped (football) than round (basketball). It is usually corrected with glasses or contacts. It can be corrected at the time of cataract surgery.
First, let's look at some examples of what different levels of uncorrected astigmatism does to vision. The following images are supposed to be someone without cataracts who doesn't need reading glasses for near vision to highlight the effects of astigmatism:
No Astigmatism.
Mild Astigmatism.
High Astigmatim. No Cataract
Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are a type of IOL that is used to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery. This can cause blurred vision at all distances.
Toric IOLs are implanted in the eye during cataract surgery. The cataract is removed and the toric IOL is placed in its place. The IOL is held in place by the natural anatomy of the eye.
Toric IOLs are very effective at correcting astigmatism.
Here are some of the benefits of toric IOLs:
They improve vision at all distances for people with astigmatism who are having cataract surgery.
They can reduce or eliminate the need for prescription glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery.
By not needing prescription glasses one can save a considerable amount of money in the long run.
Here are some of the potential drawbacks of toric IOLs:
They are not covered by insurance and can be an expensive out-of-pocket fee.
Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery can also correct mild astigmatisms, Click HERE to learn more.
If you have astigmatism and are considering cataract surgery, talk to your eye doctor about toric IOLs. They can help you to decide if toric IOLs are right for you.
It is important to note that toric IOLs are not suitable for everyone. People with certain eye conditions, such as severe astigmatism or corneal scarring, may not be eligible for toric IOLs.
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