Toric IOL
Cataract and Cornea Astigmatism Correction
A common refractive condition caused by either an irregularity in the curvature of the cornea (corneal astigmatism) or the lens (lenticular astigmatism), astigmatism results in the blurring of all images, whether they are near or far. This usually occurs when the cornea is shaped like a football with a steeper curve in one direction and a flatter curve in the other, rather than round like a basketball. This uneven shape causes light rays entering the eye to focus on more than one point, rather than only on the retina as they should.
How does an IOL correct astigmatism?
An intraocular lens (IOL) is used during cataract surgery to replace the cloudy lens (cataract) that was removed. IOLs can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Astigmatism is where the front clear surface of the eye, known as the cornea, is not perfectly round but rather is shaped more like a football. Consequently, the steepness of the cornea results in light rays focusing at different points and results in a blurred image. IOLs that can correct astigmatism are known as “Toric IOLs.” They work by neutralizing the astigmatism and allowing the light rays to be focused on one clear point.