For those with astigmatism, cataract surgery can be a great option to correct their vision. This procedure can reshape the cornea and provide a better vision without the need for glasses. There are several ways to perform cataract surgery, such as using a Toric lens implant, Refractive keratoplasty, or a Femtosecond laser. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss how cataract surgery can correct astigmatism and the different techniques used to do so.

Toric Lens Implants

Using a Toric lens implant during cataract surgery is an effective way to reduce astigmatism. This small step in the process of cataract surgery can dramatically improve your vision and eliminate the need for glasses. A Toric lens is a foldable lens that is made of biocompatible material and can be implanted during cataract surgery. It can correct a higher percentage of astigmatism than other IOLs, providing better distance vision without eyeglasses. However, it is not guaranteed that it will correct all of your astigmatism. Most people do not want to wear glasses all the time, but they need them when they are reading or trying to see far away. Glasses are also costly and inconvenient to clean and find when you need them. If you need glasses for close-up work, wear thin glasses with a mild prescription. Some people also choose to wear contact lenses instead of glasses, but this option is not always available and may not be covered by your insurance plan.

Femtosecond Laser

Using a femtosecond laser for cataract surgery to correct astigmatism has advantages over conventional methods. The laser can break up the cataract, reducing stress on the eye and improving postoperative visual acuity. However, there are several challenges when using femtosecond lasers, such as variability in the integrity of the incisions and the ability to accurately correct astigmatism. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the real-world outcomes of astigmatism management using femtosecond lasers for cataract surgeries compared to conventional surgery. The study included 224 patient records that met the inclusion criteria and found that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of corneal astigmatism, corrected distance visual acuities, or spherical equivalent. The femtosecond laser group was older than the conventional surgery group and had a lower mean absolute refractive astigmatism than the FLACS group. However, the FLACS group had a statistically significant decrease in postoperative residual astigmatism. Overall, cataract surgery can be an effective way to reduce astigmatism and improve vision without glasses or contact lenses. There are several techniques available for cataract surgery, such as Toric lens implants or Femtosecond laser treatments, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to discuss these options with your doctor before deciding which one is best for you.