Yes, cataract surgery can be used to correct astigmatism, a common refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens in the eye. When a person has astigmatism, the eye's surface is not perfectly spherical, leading to blurred or distorted vision at both near and far distances.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens affected by the cataract is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). If a person has astigmatism, the surgeon may opt for a toric intraocular lens, which is specifically designed to address both the cataract and the astigmatism.
Here's how cataract surgery with a toric IOL can correct astigmatism:
Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, the eye surgeon will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the extent of the cataract and the presence of astigmatism. Measurements are taken to assess the degree and axis of astigmatism.
Selection of Toric IOL: Based on the preoperative evaluation, the surgeon may recommend a toric IOL. Unlike traditional monofocal IOLs, toric IOLs have additional power and orientation to correct astigmatism.
Correcting Astigmatism during Surgery: During cataract surgery, the surgeon will make precise incisions in the cornea to access the natural lens. In addition to removing the cloudy lens affected by the cataract, the surgeon may make additional adjustments to correct the astigmatism. This could involve making incisions that reshape the cornea or aligning the toric IOL in a specific orientation.
Postoperative Results: The combination of cataract removal and astigmatism correction with a toric IOL aims to provide improved overall vision. Many patients experience a significant reduction in astigmatism and a clearer, more focused vision following the surgery.
It's important to note that while toric IOLs can address astigmatism, they may not eliminate the need for glasses completely, especially for activities like reading or detailed close-up work. However, patients often find a substantial improvement in their vision and a decreased reliance on corrective lenses for distance vision.
Patients considering cataract surgery with astigmatism correction should discuss their specific visual needs and expectations with their eye surgeon. The choice of the appropriate IOL and the surgical approach will depend on factors such as the degree of astigmatism and the overall health of the eye.