Patients who require glasses or contacts with astigmatism correction, often continue to have astigmatism following standard cataract surgery. Although standard lens implants can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness, they cannot correct astigmatism.
At Advanced Eye & Laser Center of Mansfield, we offer multiple astigmatism correction options for cataract patients that may have astigmatism. For patients that have low amounts of astigmatism, our surgeon can use a procedure called a limbal relaxing incisions (LRI). This procedure can be performed with either a blade or laser during cataract surgery.
For patients that have higher degrees of astigmatism, our surgeon can use Toric lens implants which can reduce or eliminate a patient’s astigmatism following cataract removal. This often results in little or no dependence on glasses needed to be used for distance vision. However, patients will still require reading glasses to see up close. Our practice also offers Toric premium lenses that can correct both astigmatism as well as nearsightedness or farsightedness, often resulting in little or no dependence on glasses following cataract surgery, even for reading.
During your cataract exam, our doctor will go over your astigmatism correction options with you, as well as the benefits of an LRI or Toric lenses. LRIs, Toric, and Toric premium lenses are considered elective, and not covered by insurances such as Medicare. However, our office offers multiple payment and financing options.