Toric Lens with Standard IOL

Most people with cataracts want not only to have clear vision after cataract surgery, but freedom from eyeglasses as well. One thing that can prevent that from happening is residual astigmatism after surgery. Astigmatism is very common before and after cataract surgery. Almost one in three people who are candidates for cataract surgery in the United States have at least 1.0 diopter (D) of astigmatism, which is enough to cause noticeably blurred vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. One study of refractive errors found that 29 percent of the U.S. population has between 1.0 and 2.0 D of astigmatism, 6.5 percent has between 2.0 and 3.0 D, and 2.2 percent has at least 3.0 D. These findings suggest nearly four out of 10 Americans have a significant amount of astigmatism.

In the past, intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in cataract surgery could not correct astigmatism. Some astigmatism could be corrected if the cataract surgeon chose to make incisions in the cornea during cataract surgery — a procedure called limbal relaxing incisions (LRI). Unfortunately, the LRI procedure can correct only limited amounts of astigmatism, and sometimes outcomes are unpredictable. Thankfully, special intraocular lenses (called toric IOLs) have been developed to more predictably correct astigmatism during cataract surgery.

How Toric IOLs Work

Like toric soft contact lenses for astigmatism, toric IOLs have different powers in different meridians of the lens to correct the asymmetric power of the eye that is characteristic of astigmatism. Cataract surgery with a toric lens implant (IOL) is essentially the same as cataract surgery with a conventional IOL, but with a couple of important differences. Prior to surgery, measurements are taken to enable cataract surgeons to choose the most beneficial toric IOL power and the required orientation of the implant in the eye to correct the astigmatism successfully.

Toric IOLs have special markers on the peripheral parts of the lens that enable the surgeon to see the orientation of the astigmatism correction in the lens. Once the toric IOL is implanted in the eye, the surgeon then rotates the lens so the astigmatism correction is properly aligned for best results. Use of a toric IOL during cataract surgery does not increase the risk of common cataract surgery complications, but a misaligned toric IOL can cause blurred vision that cannot easily be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Brands of toric IOLs include AcrySof IQ Toric IOL (Alcon) and Tecnis Toric Aspheric IOL (Abbott Medical Optics).

Excellent Toric IOL Outcomes

Research has shown that toric lenses produce excellent visual results after cataract surgery and can correct astigmatism more effectively than limbal relaxing incisions. One study found that 94 percent of astigmatic eyes treated with toric lens implants had 0.50 D or less astigmatism and 98 percent had 0.75 D or less residual astigmatism after surgery, enabling people to see acceptably well without glasses or contact lenses.

And studies evaluating patient satisfaction after cataract surgery have found the majority of patients receiving toric IOLs are highly satisfied with their vision after surgery. One study found 92 percent of patients report no difficulty with driving at night without eyeglasses six months after surgery, and 97 percent of patients receiving toric lens implants would choose the same IOL to be implanted again.