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What Are Toric IOLs and Who Benefits Most From Them?
Toric IOLs are lens implants that correct astigmatism during cataract surgery. They replace the cloudy natural lens like a standard implant does, but they also offset the uneven curve of the cornea that causes astigmatism. For patients with both conditions, that means one procedure can treat the cataract and sharpen distance vision, often reducing the need for glasses afterward. Here is how toric IOLs work and who benefits most from them.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that happens when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye has an uneven curve. A healthy cornea is shaped like a basketball, with the same curve in every direction. An eye with astigmatism is shaped more like a football, curving more steeply in one direction than the other.
That uneven curve keeps light from focusing on a single point on the retina. It can cause blurry or distorted vision at all distances, and many people also notice eye strain.
For many people, astigmatism is present from birth, though it can change over time or develop after an eye injury or surgery. Glasses and contact lenses compensate for it, but they do not change the shape of the eye.
Does Astigmatism Matter During Cataract Surgery?
Yes, it does. During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL). A standard monofocal IOL corrects nearsightedness or farsightedness, but it cannot correct astigmatism.
Since most astigmatism comes from the cornea, it stays behind after the cataract is removed. A patient who receives a standard lens may see more brightly than before surgery but still notice blur or ghosting, and they will likely need glasses with an astigmatism correction for sharp distance vision.
For people with very mild astigmatism, that leftover blur may be minor. For people with moderate or higher amounts, it can noticeably limit the quality of their vision after surgery, which is why lens selection deserves careful thought.
What are Toric IOLs?
Toric IOLs are artificial lenses implanted during cataract surgery that correct astigmatism while replacing the eye’s natural lens. They are designed for patients with regular corneal astigmatism, meaning the cornea curves unevenly but in a consistent, predictable pattern.
A standard IOL has the same focusing power across its entire surface. A toric IOL has different powers in different directions, which offsets the uneven curve of the cornea. Small markings near the edge of the lens show the surgeon exactly how it should be positioned.
A toric lens only works when it lines up with the steep axis of the cornea. Each degree of rotation away from the intended axis reduces the astigmatism.
Modern astigmatism-correcting lens implants are designed to stay stable once they settle inside the eye.
Who Should Choose a Toric IOL?
Toric IOLs tend to benefit people who need cataract surgery and also have a certain amount of astigmatism. Your eye surgeon is the best person to decide whether you are a good fit, but strong candidates often include people who:
- Have regular corneal astigmatism of about 1 diopter or more
- Want clear distance vision without relying on glasses for driving, watching TV, or outdoor activities
- Were not good candidates for LASIK or other laser vision correction in the past
- Have worn glasses or toric contact lenses for years and want to depend on them less
A toric IOL is not the right choice for every eye. People with very mild astigmatism may get enough correction from limbal relaxing incisions, which are small arc-shaped incisions that relax the steeper curve of the cornea.
Grant Hopping, MD, likes to remind his patients that when it comes to modern cataract surgery rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, he emphasizes matching today’s cutting-edge intraocular lens (IOL) with his patient’s specific lifestyle and vision goals.
How Precise Measurements Shape the Results
Toric IOLs depend on accurate measurements taken before surgery. Your surgeon will map the curve of your cornea, measure the length of your eye, and determine both the amount of astigmatism and its exact axis.
Small factors can affect these readings. Dry eye can distort corneal measurements, and contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of the cornea, so your care team may ask you to stop wearing contacts for a set period before testing.
Technology in the operating room adds another layer of accuracy. With laser cataract surgery, the surgeon uses detailed eye mapping to guide the incisions and the opening in the lens capsule, which helps center the new lens. Surgeons also confirm the toric lens sits on the planned axis before the procedure ends.
At Eye Center of Texas, advanced diagnostic imaging and laser-assisted techniques allow surgeons to plan each toric lens placement around the unique shape of the patient’s eye.
Finding Clearer Vision With the Right Lens
Toric IOLs give people with cataracts and astigmatism a way to address both conditions in a single procedure. Patients with moderate to high regular astigmatism who want sharper distance vision and less reliance on glasses often benefit the most.
Every eye is different, and choosing an intraocular lens works best as a shared decision between you and your surgeon. The specialized cataract team at Eye Center of Texas takes the time to measure your eyes carefully, talk through your daily visual needs, and recommend the lens that fits you best.
Wondering if a toric IOL could help you see clearly after cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at Eye Center of Texas in Houston, TX, today!
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Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?
Astigmatism—sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? Despite the alarming name, astigmatism is an extremely common condition. Not only that, but people diagnosed with astigmatism have strong, reliable treatment options, including LASIK laser eye surgery. Here’s what you need to know about astigmatism correction using LASIK surgery.
What is Astigmatism?
The key to learning about astigmatism correction using LASIK is to first understand astigmatism. Astigmatism is a condition caused by a refractive error affecting one or both eyes. In eyes without astigmatism, the cornea is evenly rounded across all areas; in eyes with astigmatism, the corneas are curved unevenly, in a shape similar to a football. This unevenness prevents light from bending properly as it passes through the eye, resulting in blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, and difficulty seeing in low light.
While astigmatism is typically present at birth, it can also appear later in life. Although considered a genetic condition, certain vision factors can indicate an increased risk of astigmatism development, including:
- Scarred or thinning corneas
- Excessive nearsightedness or farsightedness
- Previous eye surgeries (ex. Cataract surgery)
Astigmatism can be easily detected during eye exams whether a person’s astigmatism causes vision loss or not.
How LASIK Eye Surgery Corrects Astigmatism
Were you wondering if LASIK can correct astigmatism? The answer is yes. LASIK in Houston is a procedure that may provide permanent relief from astigmatism and its accompanying blurry, strained vision. (Further reading: How long does laser eye surgery last?)
In LASIK eye surgery, an ultra-precise laser is used to cut and reshape key parts of the eye, restoring and enabling normal function and clearer vision. In the case of astigmatism, LASIK reshapes your uneven corneas, rounding them out so that light passes through properly. However, LASIK for astigmatism is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. The worse your astigmatism is, the more extensive the LASIK procedure may be, which can affect the cost of your procedure. Speak with your doctor to evaluate the extent of your astigmatism and to discuss how it may or may not affect the nature and cost of your treatment.
Can LASIK Eye Surgery Cause Astigmatism?
Surgeries like LASIK and PRK are incredibly successful at treating astigmatism. In fact, in a recent study, more than 95 percent of patients reported complete satisfaction with the results of their astigmatism correction using LASIK eye surgery.
That said, LASIK can occasionally result in irregular astigmatism that will require either contacts or additional surgery to correct. Although this outcome is rare, it may be a good idea to discuss this risk with your doctor prior to making a decision about LASIK eye surgery.
Choosing a Doctor For Your LASIK Eye Surgery
Before deciding on a surgeon, schedule a consultation with them and ascertain their standing on the following essential factors:
- How many LASIK procedures has the surgeon performed?
- Do they back their work with a guarantee or warranty?
- Is their equipment up-to-date or ahead of the curve?
- How does their LASIK surgery cost compare to the quality of treatment?
For more helpful tips and points of consideration, check out our previous blog on how to choose a LASIK eye surgeon.
Find Astigmatism Relief With Houston LASIK Eye Surgeons at Eye Center of Texas
The doctors at Eye Center of Texas have extensive experience treating astigmatism and other vision issues with LASIK eye surgery, PRK, and other state-of-the-art treatment options. For patients who do not meet LASIK eligibility, Eye Center of Texas also offers astigmatism correcting intraocular lens implants. Best of all, at Eye Center of Texas, we back our work with a limited warranty. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with astigmatism and are ready to correct your vision permanently, contact Eye Center of Texas today to discover a treatment plant that’s perfect for you!
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What Is Astigmatism and Can LASIK Correct It?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that occurs when the eye is not completely round. While the cause of astigmatism is unknown, there are several treatment options to help remedy astigmatism’s resulting blurred vision. Treatment options include, eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.
The first step in understanding astigmatism is knowing the different parts of the eye and how they function.
- Cornea: the clear front portion that covers the eye helps to refract (bend) light to focus on the retina
- Retina: the light-sensitive area in the back of the eye
- Eye Lens: the transparent structure that helps the cornea to refract light
When light enters the rounded cornea of the eye or the eye lens, the eye refracts (bends) the light causing clear vision. When the cornea or lens are not round, but shaped more like the back of a spoon or football, the light is refracted unevenly. When uneven refraction occurs, only part of an object can be focused on at one time causing vision to appear blurry.
Symptoms
This condition causes one’s vision to be blurred or distorted in varying degrees and at all distances. If the vision is not corrected, eye strain, fatigue, or headaches may occur.
Diagnosis
Sometimes this condition occurs with other vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). Your eye doctor can give you a diagnosis after a comprehensive eye exam.
Treatment
Practically every type and intensity of blurred vision can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
If the thought of wearing glasses or contact lenses does not appeal to you, refractive surgery could be the best solution to remedy your vision. The best candidates for this procedure have healthy eyes and do not have diseases, scarring, or retinal problems.
Several different types of refractive surgery include:
- LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis): LASIK surgery corrects vision by reshaping corneal tissue so that it correctly focuses light into the eye and onto the retina. A flap made in the outer corneal layer allows access to the tissue underneath.
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): During this procedure, the eye surgeon reshapes the cornea using a laser on the outer surface of the cornea (unlike the LASIK procedure that accesses underlying tissue).
As with all surgical procedures, there are risks and complications associated with refractive surgery. A frequently reported complication is persistent dry eyes. To lower your risks, consult a LASIK surgeon who can advise you what procedure is best for you.
Benefits of Lasik Surgery
- Improved vision. Research reveals that approximately 95% of the people who chose this form of laser eye surgery now see with 20/40 (10%) or 20/20 (85%) acuity.
- Speedy results and recovery. Some patients experience clear vision immediately after the procedure. Others have clear sight within the day and can return to their normal schedule the day after the surgery.
- Lasting results. After about three months, the eyes have adjusted and the patient’s improved eyesight will be permanent. No follow-up is needed unless there are complications.
- No more contact lenses expenses. No more money and time spent on replacement lenses, cases and cleaning solutions. You pay for contact lenses for as long as you use them. You pay for your surgery only once.
- Goodbye, eyeglasses. Glasses tend to limit peripheral vision. Laser eye surgery improves your complete vision.
Houston Astigmatism Solutions
The Eye Center of Texas’ Dr. Wade and Dr. Mayo have performed over 60,000 successful LASIK procedures. If you are interested in learning more about how you can correct your astigmatism through LASIK surgery, fill out this form for a FREE LASIK consultation.
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What is Astigmatism?
I just received an email from a friend who wanted to know: what is astigmatism and can it be corrected with LASIK surgery?
Astigmatism is not a disease nor does it mean that you have bad eyes. Astigmatism usually is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Instead of the cornea having a symmetrically round shape (like a baseball), it is shaped more like a football.
Astigmatism usually causes vision to be blurred or distorted to some degree at all distances. Symptoms of uncorrected astigmatism are eye strain and headaches, especially after reading or other prolonged visual tasks. Squinting also is a very common symptom.
Yes,LASIK can correct most types of astigmatism. If you’re interested in finding out if LASIK eye surgery can correct your astigmatism, give us a call at 713-395-1515.
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