Hydrophobic acrylic IOL corrects corneal astigmatism

A new hydrophobic acrylic IOL is an effective, safe and predictable method for the correction of corneal astigmatism in patients undergoing routine cataract surgery, according to recently published data.

Dr Amy L. Sheppard et al., School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK, completed a cohort study in four hospital eye clinics in Europe on 67 eyes of 60 patients.

The outcome measures included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction and keratometry. The team also documented individual patient satisfaction with uncorrected vision and the surgeon’s evaluation of ease of handling and performance of the IOL.

Four to eight weeks after cataract surgery, the mean UDVA was 0.15 logMAR ± 0.17 and UDVA was 20/40 or better in 88% of eyes. Mean refractive cylinder decreased significantly postoperatively from −1.91 ± 1.07 D to −0.67 ± 0.54 D. However, there was no change in keratometric cylinder. The good UDVA resulted in high levels of patient satisfaction.

The abstract for this study has been published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.