newsletter
Get useful insight and advice in your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
-8.png)
One of the wonders of modern cataract surgery is that astigmatism can also be corrected during a procedure. Depending on the extent of the problem, your surgeon has three choices of how to do this: limbal relaxing incisions, implanting a special type of intraocular lens (IOL) called a Toric lens, or by using a cutting-edge implant, known as a light adjustable lens (LAL).
This solution is utilized to correct mild levels of astigmatism. This involves the surgeon making tiny cuts in the cornea to relax and reduce the curvature. This improves the surface and how much the cornea is rounded, allowing light to better travel through the eye without being distorted. This helps reduce blurred vision.
Toric lenses are a special type of IOL that can be implanted in place of the cataract-diseased lens. It’s suitable for those with moderate to severe astigmatism and corrects the curvature of the cornea.
Between 20%-40% of people who have both cataracts and astigmatism would be appropriate for Toric lens implants. However, because the lenses are considered to be “premium”, they aren’t generally covered by Medicare or many insurance policies. This means that patients wishing to take advantage will usually have to bear the extra cost themselves.
It's estimated that only 7% of cataract procedures carried out on patients who would be suitable for this type of astigmatism correction actually have them implanted. While, for many, this might be down to financial implications, many people simply aren’t offered them. This is one standout example where learning and understanding your own medical conditions and asking questions can be key to getting the latest and best treatment.
While not all cataract surgeons have the expertise and/or training to carry out a Toric implant cataract procedure, you always have the option to transfer your care to a doctor who does.
These are one of the latest types of cataract lenses. As such, they aren’t yet widely available at all cataract surgery locations. Again, this is considered a premium lens and requires specialist training to implant.
The beauty of LALs is that the prescription can be altered once in situ. Yes, this means that after the operation has been carried out and the eye has healed, the lens can be tweaked using a special light source to ensure the perfect focus. This involves several visits back to your cataract surgeon to ensure the correct prescription. Once this is achieved, the lens is “locked in” and no further changes can be made.
Many surgeons consider this to be the gold standard for cataract surgery with concurrent astigmatism correction. Although the post-op procedure is more time-intensive, plus there’s a need to stay out of the sun and/or to use good quality sunglasses until the lens has been locked in, their popularity is increasing exponentially.
Today’s astigmatism correction surgery is incredibly accurate and advanced. If you suffer and are also due for a cataract procedure, it may well be an avenue that you’d be wise to explore.
One of the greatest advantages for patients of the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic is that the lead clinician, Brent Bellotte MD., is one of the preeminent surgeons in the world who not only performs cataract procedures, but who has and continues to play an active part in advancing the technology.
This means that the clinic can offer cutting-edge cataract solutions—and often way before they become more mainstream.
Whether you need astigmatism correction cataract surgery or any other type (including complex and higher-risk operations), the clinic provides world-beating options for anything and everything to do with cataracts.
