Astigmatism is a common condition that may cause blurred vision. The distorted vision is due to the eye’s cornea having an irregular shape.

The cornea without astigmatism will have a smooth circular surface like a tennis ball. With astigmatism, the cornea will have more of a football-like shape.

Blurred or distorted vision is typically experienced by patients with moderate or severe degrees of astigmatism. Nearly 40% of people with cataracts also require astigmatism correction. Luckily, patients can correct this vision problem through the use of Toric lens at the time of cataract surgery. 

The TECHNIS Toric Monofocal IOL helps you focus on things that are far away. This would give you great distance vision for driving, watching TV, and spotting a familiar face. However, you will need glasses for reading and intermediate distances, typically to read anything that is "arms-length away and inward".

The AcrySof IQ PanOptix Trifocal Toric IOL allows for vision at all distances, correcting both presbyopia and astigmatism. The lens allows for 20/20 distance, 20/20 intermediate, and 20/20 near vision.

A Limbal Relaxing Incision, or LRI, is a minimally invasive procedure in which tiny incision(s) are made at the corneal periphery (edge of the cornea, also called the “limbus”) in order to treat corneal astigmatism. The small incisions “relax” the curvature of the cornea and improve its ability to focus light. The goal of the procedure is to leave the patient with as little astigmatism as possible.

An LRI can be performed in conjunction to cataract surgery or following the procedure.