Acrysof Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL)
What is Astigmatism?
- – If you are developing cataracts and you also have astigmatism, new premium lens implant options are available to help minimize your need for glasses after surgery.
- – Until recently, cataract patients that were IOL candidates and had astigmatism, had no IOL option which would correct the astigmatism .
- – Surgeons would typically correct astigmatism by perform Ing additional incisional surgery or LASIK after the insertion of an IOL to correct the complete visual picture. –
- – If patients did not have astigmatism correction at the time of the surgery, contact lenses or glasses would be required to deal with the astigmatism.
- – Recent advances in the IOL production technology have allowed development of an IOL that when inserted into the eye during cataract surgery allows the correction of corneal astigmatism without the need for additional refractive procedures.
- – The AcrySof Toric® corrects for both the cataracts and the astigmatism.
- – The Acrysof Toric® IOL is a foldable, single piece lens that is implanted during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. The unique design of the AcrySof Toric® IOL makes it possible to reduce or eliminate the effects of corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision, independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Toric IOLs designed to correct astigmatism also are considered “premium” lenses, and — like multifocal and accommodating IOLs — likely will cost you extra because of benefits that are unavailable in conventional IOLs.
The aspheric version of Alcon’s AcrySof IQ Toric IOL is an astigmatism-correcting “premium” intraocular lens. The Staar Surgical Intraocular Lens was the first toric IOL available in the United States. More recently, the FDA also approved the AcrySof IQ Toric IOL (Alcon) in September 2005. Different models of this toric IOL can correct 1.50 to 3.00 D of astigmatism. This lens also is available in aspheric Acrysof Toric IOL versions for crisper vision. Different models also can filter potentially damaging UV or blue light. Risks include poor vision due to the lens rotating out of position, with the possibility of further surgery to reposition or replace the IOL.
If you would like to find out more about this exciting, once in a lifetime opportunity of turning back the clock on your vision, please contact us to see how we can restore your near vision to what it used to be when you were younger. Call us at 281-420-EYES(3937) or Schedule Online
