The Acrysof®toric IOL: Correcting Astigmatism with Cataract Surgery

The AcrySof®Toric IOLprovides cataract patients with higher levels of astigmatism with improved distance vision without glasses.

Patients with life long problems of astigmatism and blurry vision now have a new opportunity for improved sight without glasses following cataract surgery.

Astigmatism is an optical distortion caused in most instances by an irregularity of the surface of the cornea. Patients with significant levels of astigmatism usually require glasses in order to see clearly at distance.

This year a revolutionary new lens, called the AcrySof®Toric IOL, was approved for the correction of astigmatism following cataract surgery. To select the AcrySof®Toric IOL that best meets the needs of a patient with astigmatism, surface irregularities of the cornea are analyzed preoperatively along with other measurements necessary for IOL calculations. A highly sophisticated computer software program is then used to choose the best AcrySof®Toric IOL. The AcrySof®Toric IOL is designed to correct light rays distorted by corneal irregularities and bring them into sharper focus on the retina. The result for cataract patients with higher levels of astigmatism is clearer vision at distance without glasses. Patients with the AcrySof®Toric lens generally still need glasses for reading.