Toric IOLs for Astigmatism
Astigmatism Correcting IOL New York

Astigmatism (see astigmatism section) is a common refractive error caused by the cornea, the front of the eye, being oval shaped rather than round. Astigmatism can be easily corrected by eyeglasses or by special toric: contact lenses.

For patients undergoing cataract surgery who want to be as spectacle-free as possible, astigmatism had to be corrected by the addition of a small corneal incision which changed the shape from oval to round.

A more precise method to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery is now available in a toric IOL made by Alcon Surgical. The toric IOL has more power in one direction than another, and by orienting the IOL along a predetermined and pre-marked axis in the eye, such as 45 degrees, 90 degrees, etc., most if not all astigmatism can be eliminated. The net result is better uncorrected vision and more freedom from eyeglasses. This IOL is also considered “premium” and is not fully covered by health insurance.