Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are an advanced type of artificial lens used in cataract surgery that can correct for astigmatism.

Astigmatism is blurry vision caused by the cornea (the clear outer covering of the eye) being shaped more like an egg or a football than a round ball, which is the normal shape. As a result, the eye cannot focus light as it should.

Astigmatism (blurry vision) can accompany nearsightedness or farsightedness. If your glasses or contact lens prescription has three parts to it – for example, -2.75 -1.25 x 90 – it means that your eye doctor has detected an astigmatism.

Toric IOLs correct for the astigmatism at the same time as they replace a natural lens that has become clouded by a cataract.

We use the AcrySof Toric lens, which is a single-piece lens uniquely designed to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and appreciably improve distance vision. It can also filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, a valuable feature here in California where sun damage is common.