Imagine watching a sporting event, favorite TV show, or a movie on the big screen without glasses for the first time. If you have astigmatism and wish to see across the room without glasses, consider the AcrySof® IQ Toric intraocular lens (IOL).

Please choose from the following to learn more.

What is Astigmatism?
What are your options for correcting astigmatism?
What is the AcrySof® Toric IOL?
Facts & Questions

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your cornea (the clear, round dome covering the eye's iris and pupil) or in the shape of the eye's lens. Normally, the cornea and lens are curved equally in all directions, like a basketball. This enables the eye to focus light rays sharply onto the retina at the back of your eye. However, if one direction is curved more steeply than another, like a football, then the light is unable to focus sharply on the retina. This unequal blurring is called astigmatism and results in blurry vision.

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What are your options for correcting astigmatism?

Most people overcome astigmatism with glasses or contact lenses. While they most often achieve good vision, they know too well the inconvenience of not being able to find their glasses when they really need them. Eyeglasses are easily misplaced or damaged, expensive to replace, and just plain inconvenient. Contacts are a recurring expense and increase your risk for infection.

Our surgeons perform several surgical options to correct astigmatism, such as LASIK, AST, and limbal relaxing incisions (LRI). All of these are much less inconvenient than glasses or contacts, but can only treat a limited range of astigmatism. The AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL is an implantable lens that makes it possible to treat cataracts and correct wide ranges of corneal astigmatism at the same time.

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What is the AcrySof® Toric IOL?

The AcrySof® Toric lens is a foldable intraocular lens that our eye surgeon implants during surgery to replace the clouded lens and reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism. It provides excellent distance vision, independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses for most people.

See your best…Be your best. What would it be like to say goodbye to both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time? Set your glasses aside and imagine being able to see at a distance with just your eyes. Most patients can break free from eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision when they select the AcrySof® Toric IOL.

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Facts & Questions

Can I get the lens if I do not have a cataract?

Yes, this is called a Refractive Lens Exchange or a PreLex. The benefits of this procedure are the excellent distance vision without astigmatism and the fact that you will never develop cataracts.

Can I have so much astigmatism that the lens cannot correct it all?

Yes, this is possible. However, in Summer 2011, the ranges correctable by the Toric IOL were greatly increased. Now, we are able to correct over 4 diopters of astigmatism (the second number on your glasses prescription). If more than this is present, an AcrySof® Toric lens may be combined with LASIK to correct all of the astigmatism and provide distance vision without glasses.

What if I have my cataract fixed and do not correct my astigmatism?

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure where our surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. Traditionally, a monofocal IOL is implanted. However, you will still experience blurry vision because a standard IOL cannot correct corneal astigmatism. To achieve quality distance vision with a standard IOL, eyeglasses or contacts are needed.

What do patients say are the best benefits of AcrySof® Toric IOL?

• Going on vacation and not worrying about losing my glasses
• Playing sports and running glasses free
• Glasses not fogging up when drinking my morning coffee
• Seeing the alarm clock when I wake up without reaching for my frames
• Not having to worry how many contacts are left in the box

If freedom from eyeglasses for distance vision is important to you, the AcrySof® Toric lens is an excellent choice. To schedule a consult for the Toric “Astigmatism Correcting” IOL, contact our office at 803-256-0641.

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