Catraract and Astigmatism - Toric IOLs

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗢𝗟𝘀

Cataracts and Astigmatism are common eye conditions that can co-exist together. As a patient undergoing cataract surgery, you must enquire from your surgeon if you have significant Astigmatism in your eyes that may need to be corrected. Today, with the advent of Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) with high quality, precision and intracapsular stability one can correct both the drop in vision due to cataract as well as Astigmatism giving you 6/6 vision the very next day. 

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀?

Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, impairing vision. This condition typically progresses with age but can also result from factors like diabetes, smoking, prolonged exposure to UV light, and certain medications. Symptoms of cataracts include:

• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Frequent changes in prescription glasses

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺?

Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, preventing light from focusing properly on the retina. This condition can occur alongside nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). Symptoms of astigmatism include:

• Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
• Eyestrain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty with night vision

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼-𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺

When a patient has both cataracts and astigmatism, standard cataract surgery alone may not fully restore clear vision as it will not correct the eye power existing on the corneal plane. Traditional monofocal IOLs used in cataract surgery can replace the cloudy lens but do not correct astigmatism. This often leaves patients dependent on glasses for clear vision post-surgery.

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗢𝗟𝘀

Toric IOLs are designed with precision to correct both the power of the lens and Astigmatism (power of the cornea). Unlike standard monofocal IOLs, Toric IOLs have varying powers in various meridians of the IOL to counteract the irregular curvature of the cornea, thereby correcting Astigmatism.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗢𝗟𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸

1. Pre-surgical assessment: Detailed measurements of the eye, including corneal topography, axial length, and the degree of astigmatism, are taken to determine the appropriate power and orientation of the Toric IOL.
2. Surgical procedure: During cataract surgery, the same axis is marked intraoperatively and once the Toric IOL is implanted, it is rotated into the correct position to correct any residual Astigmatism. This process requires a sufficient amount of surgical dexterity.

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗢𝗟𝘀: 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆! 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 / 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗗𝗢𝗙 (𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀) 𝗜𝗢𝗟𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻!

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗢𝗟:

• Cost: Toric IOLs are often more expensive than standard IOLs, and not all insurance plans cover the additional cost. Sometimes they even need to custom made and ordered in advance. 
• Surgical Precision: Accurate pre-surgical measurements and precise surgical techniques are critical for successful outcomes.
• Coexisting eye conditions: One post get a thorough evaluation to clear oneself of any other cause of poor vision like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or age related macular degeneration.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Toric IOLs represent a significant advancement in the treatment of cataracts and Astigmatism, offering patients the possibility of clear, glasses-free vision. If you have both cataracts and Astigmatism, discuss the option of Toric IOLs with your ophthalmologist to determine if you are a suitable candidate. With the right care and expertise, Toric IOLs can restore your vision and enhance your quality of life.