Toric Lens Implants

Acrysof IQ TORIC® IOL (Intraocular Lens)

A Premium Lens Option that Treats Astigmatism and Cataracts

If you have been told that you have developing cataracts and you also have astigmatism new premium lens implant options are available to help minimize your need for glasses after surgery. If you are unsure if have astigmatism please check with your eye doctor.

Astigmatism Definition

Astigmatism is a refractive error where people are unable to see objects clearly from a distance or up close. Astigmatism is asymmetric steepening of the cornea or natural lens causes light to be focused unevenly. Astigmatism may occur in varying degrees in each eye and can accompany myopia or hyperopia. To individuals with uncorrected astigmatism, images may look blurry or shadowed. Astigmatism can accompany any form of refractive error and is very common

The eye doctors at the Texas Eye Institute are pleased to offer Toric IOLs for astigmatism correction after cataract surgery. The recent advancements in Intraocular Lens (IOL) technology have now made it possible to provide an effective solution for patients that have astigmatism. Until recently, patients that were IOL candidates and had astigmatism, had no option built into the lens, which would correct the astigmatism aspect of their visual condition. Surgeons would typically perform refractive surgery or LASIK after the insertion of an IOL to correct the complete visual picture. If patients did not have astigmatism correction after IOL implantation then contacts or glasses would be required to deal with the astigmatism. With advancements in the optics of IOLs the manufacturers have now been able to accommodate for astigmatism.

Acrysof IQToric® IOL technology uses biocompatible materials that have been successfully used in contact lenses and proven safe for the eye. There is an additional cost for this lens implant.

Many patients suffer from this common eye condition known as astigmatism. Often this astigmatism can lead to blurred or impaired vision if it becomes moderate or severe. The cause of the blurred and impaired vision is the result of the eye's cornea or lens having an irregular shape. A normal eye's cornea and lens have a circular shape whereas an eye with astigmatism has a longer more oval shape.

IThe AcrySof Toric® corrects for both conditions, cataracts and astigmatism. The Acrysof Toric® IOL is a foldable, single piece lens that is implanted during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. The unique design of the AcrySof Toric® IOL makes it possible to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision. AcrySof Toric lens provides excellent distance vision, independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Clinical Study Data for the Acrysof IQ Toric® IOL:

• 94% of patients acheived uncorrected distance of 20/40 or better
• Improved contrast sensitivity in low-light situations
• significant reducton in both spherical and total high order abberations
• Improved fuctional vision in challenging enviroments such as night driving, glare and fog

If you are seeking astigmatism correction in Texas please feel free to contact us to schedule an eye exam.