Coaxial MICS with toric IOL is a safe and effective treatment for cataract patients

Implantation of a toric IOL after microincision cataract surgery (MICS) is a safe and successful way to correct astigmatism in cataract patients, stated a study published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Professor Jorge L. Alió et al., Vissum-Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Spain, conducted a prospective, nonrandomized study on 21 eyes of 12 patients who had moderate to high astigmatism and cataracts. MICS was performed on all patients, followed by the implantation of an Acri.Comfort 646 TLC toric IOL in the capsular bag.

The outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), residual refractive sphere, residual refractive and keratometric cylinders and IOL axis alignment. All were measured 3 months postoperatively and the Alpins method was used to measure vector analysis of astigmatism.

It was found that the UDVA was 20/40 or better in 16 eyes and CDVA was 20/30 or better in 18 eyes. The mean refractive cylinder reduced postoperatively from -4.46 D ± 2.23 D to -0.45 D to 0.63 D. The mean index of success was 0.11 ± 0.15, with 91% of astigmatism corrected. Mean IOL axis rotation was -1.75˚ ± 2.93˚and the rotation was 10˚ or lower in all eyes.

The combination of MICS and toric IOL implantation posed no risks or complications. It was considered as a safe and accurate way of eradicating moderate to high astigmatism in cataract patients.