Toric IOLs for Cataract Surgery
One in three Americans has astigmatism. Rather than causing someone to be near-sighted or far-sighted, astigmatism causes blurry vision at all distances. If someone needs cataract surgery and has astigmatism, toric IOL lenses are the answer.
Toric IOLs don’t just improve vision, they fit comfortably and securely for those with astigmatism. For a long time, all toric IOLs were monofocal, meaning they could only correct vision at one distance, but as of 2016, multifocal IOLs are readily available, improving vision at all distances.
Shanbom Eye Specialist will help you select the perfect toric lenses for your needs, accounting for your unique range of vision, hobbies and other activities that benefit from vision at different distances. We use flexible IOLs with built-in UV protection. One of the common side effects of IOLs is light distortions in the dark such as glare and halos, which is why we research and select toric lenses with the lowest rates of visual distortion and highest rates of success.
What is Astigmatism?
A common eye disorder, astigmatism is a distortion to the shape of the cornea or the lens of the eyes, causing light to refract in uneven ways. A non-astigmatic eye is spherical, allowing light to bounce equally in all directions, but an asthmatic eye more closely resembles the shape of an egg. The result is a blurry image that comes from the different information the eyes receive not quite matching, much like wearing 3D glasses too far away from your eyes.
If untreated, astigmatism can lead to eye strain and headaches, and also cause blurred and distorted vision at night. The problem can be resolved with bifocal glasses: glasses with two separate lenses, one at the top for long-distance vision and one at the bottom for near vision.
Unlike glasses, IOLs only have one lens and can therefore only offer one adjustment to vision. This limits the possibilities for those needing cataract surgery who are looking to adjust their vision with toric lenses, but technology is improving every day and there are now toric lenses that improve vision at all distances, though without the same versatility offered by glasses. Many people with monofocal (single distance-adjusting) IOLs use just their lenses for long-distance vision and wear reading glasses for other activities, but many people with multifocal (multiple distance-adjusting) IOLs are able to do away with glasses entirely!
Depending on your needs, we may recommend toric lenses that excel in unique ways.
Alcon Acrysof IQ Toric IOLs
Alcon’s Acrysof IQ Toric IOLs are known for their dependability. These monofocal URLs are made from biocompatible material with fibronectin, allowing them to stay securely in place. The aspheric model reduces the instances of halos and other light distortions in the dark. For those needing vision correction in only one range or for those who are accustomed to wearing reading glasses when using near vision, we may recommend this or a similar variety of IOL.
Tecnis Symfony Toric IOLs
A multifocal IOL, the Tecnis Symfony Toric IOL can treat both astigmatism and presbyopia. The lenses can greatly improve vision quality at a specific range while also improving vision across the board. Tecnis promises a seamless, vivid, extended range of vision with greatly improved long-distance vision and gradually lesser improvements as objects grow nearer. Fortunately, the improvement is significant even at near vision, and 85% of users either rarely or never wear glasses. TECNIS Symfony Toric IOL lenses are made of flexible, UV-blocking hydrophobic acrylic. If your goal is to see well at all ranges of vision without glasses, we may recommend this or a similar multifocal toric lens.
Book your cataract surgery with a trusted and experienced ophthalmologist. With extensive experience as a practicing ophthalmologist, Dr. Shanbom has performed over 30,000 successful eye procedures so you know you’re in good hands.
For a better understanding of which IOLs are right for you, please fill in our cataract quiz or contact us to book a consultation.