Astigmatism is a common condition that affects patients before and after cataract surgery. While replacing your lens with any intraocular lens (IOL) during cataract surgery can improve your vision, astigmatism may require continued use of glasses or contacts. In fact, your astigmatism will likely become worse after cataract surgery if the procedure does not incorporate special measures. At Fishman & Sheridan eyeCare Specialists in Leesburg, FL, we offer toric IOLs to minimize your dependency on glasses after cataract surgery. Surgeons Jeffrey A. Sheridan and Craig D. Fishman can place toric IOLs during your procedure to significantly improve your vision after treatment.
Astigmatism and Cataracts
Astigmatism is a type of eye disorder that prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, causing distorted or blurred vision at all distances. It is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or crystalline lens. In some cases, symptoms of astigmatism are so minor that patients do not even notice they have the condition. However, these symptoms can become more noticeable once patients undergo cataract surgery.
By carefully measuring the degree of astigmatism, our doctors can place a lens that helps you achieve sharper vision.
A study conducted in the UK found that astigmatism becomes worse when sufferers undergo cataract surgery using a standard monofocal IOL.
How Toric Lenses Work
Toric IOLs have multiple powers to correct astigmatism. By carefully measuring the degree of astigmatism, our doctors can place a lens that helps you achieve sharper vision.
Planning Your Procedure
When replacing your natural lens with a toric IOL, the planning stage is crucial for effective results. Our doctors will take careful measurements of your eye to determine the right power for your lens and the correct orientation during placement. They can also explain your other IOL options and other available treatments. For example, we can use lasers to create limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) in the cornea during cataract surgery. These extremely small incisions can make subtle changes in the shape of your cornea that allow you to achieve clear focus. During your consultation, we will take all the time needed to help you make the right choice.
What to Expect during Treatment
Cataract surgery incorporating a toric lens is basically the same as surgery incorporating a conventional lens. We can perform your short outpatient procedure at a local ambulatory surgical center under intravenous (IV) sedation.
Before beginning, we will numb your eye with specialized eyedrops. Then your surgeon will remove your clouded lens and place the toric IOL. Once it is in place, he will rotate the lens to properly align it for the best correction possible. We use micro-incisions that do not require sutures, which minimizes your recovery time.
Learn More Today
If you have astigmatism and are considering cataract surgery, toric lenses may be right for you. For more information, contact our office online or call one of our office locations near you today.
