What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a refractive error, commonly caused by the shape of the cornea (the outer layer of the eye). If the cornea is football shaped, rather than the ideal round shape, this irregularity causes light that enters the eye to become scattered; some light lands in front of the retina, some behind the retina and some directly on the retina. The result is blurry vision at all distances. Most people are diagnosed with astigmatism (with or without nearsightedness or farsightedness) at a young age, requiring corrective lenses to provide clearer vision during childhood.

What is an Astigmatism Correcting Lens?

By the time patients with astigmatism develop cataracts, they may have been living with the need for corrective lenses for many decades. The idea of life with a reduced dependence or even elimination of glasses to see clearly may be a distant dream for them.

At Vision Quest, we enjoy seeing patients’ faces light up when we discuss the possibility of astigmatism correction during cataract surgery with toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in Dallas. These astigmatism-correcting lenses contain varying power levels within the lenses to improve the way light enters the eyes. By properly implanting and rotating this lens into proper placement during cataract surgery, our doctors can create excellent vision outcomes. For some, vision is improved to a level that reduces or eliminates the need for glasses after surgery.

The success of toric IOLs is based on specific measurements taken of your eye prior to surgery. This detailed information about your unique astigmatism allows our doctors to select the correct IOL power and determine the correct orientation to meet your vision goals. Our team of gifted surgeons has performed thousands of toric IOL procedures with life-changing levels of success for our cataract patients.

Are You a Good Candidate for Toric IOLs?

Simply having astigmatism and cataracts in Dallas does not automatically make you a good candidate for this procedure. Our vision results for past patients are excellent because we take the time to fully assess your vision and determine if your refractive error and overall ocular health would make this a safe and effective treatment option. We will also consider your line of work, your activity level, your lifestyle, your goals and a myriad of other factors to determine your candidacy for cataract treatment. During an examination we will discuss realistic expectations for the outcome of toric IOLs, depending on the results of our exam.

If the idea of a reduced dependence on glasses is attractive to you, you owe it to yourself to learn more about toric IOLs during cataract surgery.

Brands of Toric IOLs We Offer

At Vision Quest, we offer TECNIS® Toric and AcrySof® IQ Toric IOLs, as well as Symfony Toric Lenses (distance, near and astigmatism correcting lens). Our doctors will recommend the right option for your unique eyes.

If you’re a candidate for cataract surgery, talk to your surgeon about whether you could be a good candidate for toric intraocular lens implants in Dallas, TX.