Toric Lens Implant Complications & Safety

Question: I have astigmatism greater than 2 diopters so could benefit from toric lens implants. BUT I would rather choose the IOL that has a higher success rate and the least complication rate. So, would choosing to have a regular lens implant rather than a toric lens implant be a safer bet?


Answer: We need to separate safety and complications from the actual visual performance when we consider astigmatism correcting lens implants as compared to monofocal lens implants. The safety and complications of astigmatism correcting lens implants is essentially identical to that of monofocal lens implants. In general, they are the fabricated from the same materials and in the same basic styles as one an other and thus the safety and complication rates reflect the experience and the skill of the Cataract Surgeon more so than the actual Lens Implant type. The MOST IMPORTANT DECISION THAT YOU WILL MAKE IS THE CHOICE OF CATARACT SURGEON AND NOT THE TYPE OF IMPLANT. Astigmatism correcting toric lens implants do require a greater degree of precision in the preoperative measurements and calculations in order to obtain the best visual results. In addition they may also require a greater of surgical skill from the Cataract Surgeon in order to obtain the perfect placement and rotation of the Lens Implant for best vision. That said, in our experience with U.S. Cataract Surgeons who are also Refractive Surgeons, the level of success and patient satisfaction is quite high with astigmatism correcting toric lens implants in terms of safety, efficacy and predictability.

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