Toric IOL corrects low astigmatism, boosts spectacle independence

Paul H. Ernest

BOSTON — An acrylic toric IOL proved effective in correcting low levels of corneal astigmatism, a speaker said here.

The AcrySof SN60T3 toric IOL (Alcon) also yielded a high rate of spectacle independence, Paul H. Ernest, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

"The toric T3 lens gives very excellent correction of corneal astigmatism," Dr. Ernest said. "The surgically induced astigmatism was different based on incision types."

The prospective study included 30 eyes of 25 patients requiring astigmatic correction of 0.75 D to 1.03 D. Cataract removal and toric IOL implantation were performed through a clear corneal incision or limbal tunnel incision. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results showed that average preop corneal astigmatism of 1 D was reduced to 0.4 D at 6 months. Clear corneal incisions had mean surgically induced astigmatism of 0.6 D. Limbal tunnel incisions had mean surgically induced astigmatism of 0.3 D, Dr. Ernest said.

Average logMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.6 D to 0.09 D at 6 months postop.

Preoperatively, 65% of patients relied on glasses for distance vision. Postoperatively, 74% of patients were spectacle independent, Dr. Ernest said.

Follow OSNSuperSite.com on Twitter.