Toric Multifocal IOL Lens Implants

Researchers reporting in the September 2011 Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery found that implantation of toric multifocal IOL's in patients with cataract and corneal astigmatism provides good distance and near visual outcomes and spectacle independence. The investigation in the Netherlands looked at patients with cataract, corneal astigmatism and a motivation for spectacle independence. Each patient underwent cataract surgery and implantation of a toric diffractive multifocal IOL. In 90% of the eyes enrolled in the study a residual refractive astigmatism of −1.00 D or less was achieved however moderate glare, halos and star burst symptoms were present in approximately 50% of patients. The authors concluded that toric multifocal IOL implantation enables patients with significant levels of corneal astigmatism to achieve distance and near spectacle independence.