Toric Lens Implants

Astigmatism Correction In An Implantable Lens.

During your cataract surgery, your natural, cloudy lens is removed and replaced with the latest implantable intraocular lens (IOL). A standard IOL implant will restore your vision, but it doesn’t correct astigmatism, a form of vision distortion that is caused by the shape of your eyeball. If you have astigmatism and you get a standard IOL implant, you will still need glasses for all of your activities. At the Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute in Los Angeles our cataract patients with astigmatism are offered a Toric lens to correct this condition.

The most modern Toric IOL is designed to correct larger amounts of astigmatism in order to provide sharper vision and less reliance on glasses. Neither the accommodating lens nor the multi-focal lenses provides good vision for patients with higher levels of astigmatism.

Astigmatism 101

Astigmatism refers to blurred vision caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. The cornea is the clear front area of the eye which covers the iris. The iris is in front of the clouded natural lens being replaced by cataract surgery. The cornea should be perfectly round which then allows the eye to correctly focus on objects. In patients with astigmatism the cornea is a flattened oval and this causes focus issues which then translate into blurred vision.

Correcting astigmatism is done optically using glasses or contact lenses or through LASIK surgery. In cataract patients the correction can be made simultaneously using specially shaped Toric IOL lenses. These lenses are designed to correct focus imperfections caused by a flattened cornea, allowing patients to see clearly either at a distance or reading.

Toric lenses, however, are not multifocal. If Toric IOLs are implanted in both eyes for distance vision, then reading glasses would need to be used for near vision. Alternatively, one eye can be made better for distance while the other eye is better for near vision (“monovision”), thereby reducing the need for glasses.

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Cataract Surgery With Toric IOL

The goal in cataract surgery is to restore sharp vision by removing the clouded lens. This alone will sharpen vision unless astigmatism is also causing blurred vision. Toric IOL lenses are designed to improve vision without glasses as much as possible allowing patients to choose additional vision correction options.

During cataract surgery, Dr. Shamie or Dr. Hura can insert either a standard lens or a Toric lens with no change in the surgical procedure. Patients can correct two vision problems in one surgery. This removes the overall risks associated with having two separate surgeries and increases the benefits attached to cataract surgery.

Los Angeles residents can get more information about Toric IOL lenses by booking an appointment with at The Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute. Our doctor is considered among the top eye MDs in America. Her goal is to restore sharp vision without the need for corrective lenses or to get as close to that ideal as is physically possible.

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You don’t want to decide on a Cataract treatment without learning all of the facts. Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprints, and you’ll want to consult a specialist to help you decide on the best way to preserve your vision.

At MSVI, our Vision Correction Specialists will give you a thorough examination and explain all of your options, so that you can make an informed decision about the right solution for you.

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