Toric Intraocular Lenses
Freedom from Astigmatism After Cataract Surgery
If you have worn glasses or contacts for astigmatism most of your life, you may have assumed you will still need them after cataract surgery. The good news: with toric intraocular lenses (toric IOLs), many patients achieve clear distance vision without relying on glasses for astigmatism again.
What is astigmatism, and why does it matter in cataract surgery?
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball. This irregular shape causes blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
During cataract surgery, your cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). A standard monofocal IOL corrects vision at one distance (usually far), but it cannot correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism. That is where toric IOLs come in.
How we correct astigmatism during cataract surgery
Several outstanding options now exist. Traditional toric IOLs have built-in astigmatism correction with different powers in different meridians and tiny alignment marks so the surgeon can position the lens precisely. When perfectly aligned with your eye’s astigmatic axis, these lenses neutralize corneal astigmatism and deliver crisp, clear vision. Multifocal lenses are also available in toric versions, so you can correct astigmatism and reduce dependence on reading glasses at the same time.
The most precise and customizable astigmatism correction available today is the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) with Light Delivery Device adjustments after surgery. After the LAL is implanted, we fine-tune the power and astigmatism correction in our office using painless UV light treatments. This allows us to achieve the sharpest possible vision tailored exactly to your eye, even if measurements or healing shift slightly. Patients who choose the LAL routinely achieve the highest quality and most accurate astigmatism correction available anywhere.
Why correcting astigmatism inside the eye is better than glasses or contacts
Glasses and contacts sit outside the eye and only mask astigmatism. Correcting it inside the eye with a toric IOL, multifocal toric, or especially the Light Adjustable Lens produces sharper, higher-contrast vision with less distortion and fewer optical aberrations. Patients consistently report better night vision, reduced glare and halos around lights, and more natural image quality than even the best toric contacts or progressive glasses ever provided. The correction is permanent and never rotates, dries out, or fogs up.
Benefits of choosing an astigmatism-correcting IOL
You gain sharper distance vision for driving, television, and sports without glasses. The overall quality of vision is higher and more natural than glasses or contacts ever delivered. Astigmatism is significantly reduced or completely eliminated with proven, safe technology. It is a one-time correction that lasts a lifetime.
Am I a candidate?
Nearly everyone with corneal astigmatism is a candidate for one of today’s astigmatism-correcting lenses. The only way to know which option (traditional toric, multifocal toric, or the Light Adjustable Lens) will give you the absolute best result is through the specialized testing we perform at your cataract evaluation. We precisely measure the amount and axis of your astigmatism using corneal topography/tomography, perform advanced optical biometry, and examine the overall health of your eye. These quick, non-invasive tests allow us to predict your outcome with high accuracy and recommend the ideal lens for your lifestyle.
Ready to find out which lens can free you from astigmatism and give you the sharpest vision of your life? Schedule your cataract evaluation today. We will perform all testing and give you a clear, personalized recommendation on the spot.