Cataracts and Astigmatism

Cataract Surgery | Cataracts and Astigmatism | Presbyopia Intraocular Lenses | Iris Reconstructive Intraocular Lens | Cataract Testimonials

• What is Astigmatism?

  Forty percent (40%) of the population has 1 diopter (D) or more of astigmatism. Correcting it at the time of cataract surgery is generally advisable to improve results and reduce dependence on corrective lenses after surgery. An astigmatic cornea is football-shaped or oval causing light to be focused into two points. Uncorrected vision is blurred and corrective lenses are required. The goal of astigmatism surgery is to modify the cornea so its shape is made more spherical or implant an astigmatism-correcting toric intraocular lens (IOL). With either approach, light is focused onto the retina as one crisp point.

  Vision with cataract & astigmatism -clouded, blurred

  Vision after cataract surgery without astigmatism correction. Corrective lenses or additional surgery may be necessary

  Vision after cataract surgery with astigmatism correction. Reduce dependence on corrective lenses in one step.

  There are several methods to correct astigmatism that can be considered each designed to reduce or eliminate astigmatism:

  View: How astigmatism procedures work

• Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) – Scleral Recession

  Richard A Erdey, MD has developed this simple, effective method as an alternative to limbal relaxing incisions, Toric Intraocular lenses, or Laser Vision Correction to reduce or eliminate astigmatism during cataract or Visian ICL surgery. The cataract incision is modified and placed at the steepest part of the cornea. The cornea relaxes and flattens making the cornea less oval or football shaped (astigmatic) and more spherical. The effect is monitored under an intra-operative keratometer allowing additional adjustments to be made to improve the result. There is no need for a subsequent laser vision correction procedure performed several weeks after the cataract surgery.   Remove your cataract, reduce astigmatism and reduce dependence on corrective lenses  IN ONE CONVENIENT SITTING! 

  Before: cornea oval. astigmatism steep at 90 degrees

  After: Cornea spherical. Astigmatism neutralized

   

  Learn More: » How astigmatism procedures work

• Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) – Limbal Relaxing Incisions

  Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) – Limbal Relaxing Incisions

  Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) is a modified form of Radial Keratotomy used to reduce astigmatism. Tiny, precise scratches are made on the cornea surface in a specific location in accordance with the steepest curve of the cornea. These scratches flatten the steepest part of the cornea. This makes the cornea more spherical (baseball shaped) and thus sharper retinal focus is obtained. This procedure takes just a few minutes to complete and can be performed alone or in conjunction with cataract surgery or Visian ICL implantation.

   

   

  Learn More: » How astigmatism procedures work

• Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOL’s)

  Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOL’s) can be used to reduce astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery and may reduce the need for corrective lenses. Bifocals or reading glasses may still be required. These devices are capable of correcting larger amounts of astigmatism than astigmatic keratotomy techniques.

  Staar® toric

  Alcon® toric

• Laser Vision Correction (LASIK, PRK)

  Laser Vision Correction (LASIK, PRK) can be used to reduce residual astigmatism after cataract surgery. The procedure can be performed weeks, months or years after the initial cataract procedure.