Corneal astigmatism patients achieve spectacle independence with toric IOL

Implantation of toric multifocal IOL in patients with cataract and corneal astigmatism provides good distance and near visual outcomes and spectacle independence, according to research featured in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

An investigation led by Dr Nienke Visser, University Eye Clinic Maastricht, The Netherlands, looked at 45 eyes of 25 patients with cataract, corneal astigmatism and a motivation for spectacle independence. Each patient underwent cataract surgery and implantation of a toric diffractive multifocal IOL (AT Lisa).

At three months postoperatively uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) and uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) were measured. In addition to this the researchers looked at corrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuities, residual refractive astigmatism, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity and patient satisfaction.

The findings demonstrated high contrast sensitivity and a spectacle independence for distance and near vision in 95% of patients and 79% patients, respectively. The study produced a postoperative mean of was 0.04 logMAR ± 0.15 (SD). Of the eyes studied, 98% presented with a UDVA of 20/40 or better. Mean UNVA was recorded at 0.20 ± 0.16 logMAR and mean UIVA was 0.40 ± 0.16 logMAR.

In 90% of the eyes featured in the study a residual refractive astigmatism of −1.00 D or less was achieved. Moderate glare, halos and starburst symptoms were present in approximately 50% of patients.

Toric IOL implantation enables patients with significant levels of corneal astigmatism to achieve distance and near spectacle independence.