Astigmatism is an incredibly common eye condition, often leading to blurred or distorted vision at any distance. It’s so widespread that approximately 800,000 people are estimated to be living with it across the UK.
While many people manage astigmatism perfectly well with glasses or contact lenses, it becomes a crucial consideration when you require cataract surgery. If you are looking to truly optimise your vision after your procedure, understanding astigmatism and the role of a specialised Toric lens is essential.
What Exactly is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a condition that causes blurred or distorted vision because the front surface of your eye (the cornea) is irregularly shaped.
Instead of being perfectly spherical, like a football, the cornea is shaped more like the side of a rugby ball . This abnormal curve prevents light from focusing correctly onto the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). Essentially, light is focused on multiple points, leading to fuzzy or stretched vision.
When you have cataract surgery, the natural, cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one, known as an Intraocular Lens (IOL). For those with astigmatism, simply replacing the cloudy lens with a standard IOL will correct the cataract, but it will not correct the underlying astigmatism in the cornea.
The Toric Solution: Correcting Astigmatism in One Step
For patients undergoing cataract surgery who also have astigmatism, our consultants will highly recommend a Toric IOL.
What is a Toric Lens?
A Toric lens is a premium Intraocular Lens specifically designed to correct the irregular curvature of astigmatism. Unlike a standard IOL, which has the same power across the entire lens, a Toric lens has different powers in specific areas. It is custom-made to match the unique curvature and axis of your astigmatic cornea.
By implanting and precisely aligning the Toric lens during surgery, your surgeon can correct both the cataract and the astigmatism simultaneously. This often results in a significant reduction in your reliance on glasses for distance vision after the procedure.
Choosing a Toric lens is a decision made in consultation with your surgeon, using specialist measurements taken before the operation.
Discovering Your Best Vision: Clarity’s Premium Lens Options
At Clarity, we offer a range of advanced IOLs that go beyond the standard monofocal option. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible functional vision that matches your lifestyle and daily needs.
When you choose to have your cataract surgery privately with us, you can discuss the following options with our expert surgeons:
- Monofocal Lenses
- What it is: The standard IOL. It provides clear vision at one fixed distance (usually set for optimal distance vision).
- Need for Glasses: You will typically require reading glasses for near tasks (such as reading books or small print) and possibly glasses for intermediate tasks (like computer work).
- Premium Extended Monofocal Lenses (EDOF)
- What it is: These lenses (known as Extended Depth of Focus, or EDOF) are a step up from traditional monofocal lenses. They are designed to slightly elongate a single point of focus, giving you a continuous range of high-quality vision.
- Need for Glasses: They offer excellent distance vision and a good range of intermediate vision (e.g., computer screen, dashboard), significantly reducing the need for glasses for many activities, but you may still require reading glasses for very fine print.
- Trifocal Lenses
- What it is: The most advanced IOL option, a Trifocal lens features multiple rings that simultaneously focus light for near, intermediate, and distance vision.
- Need for Glasses: These lenses are designed to provide the greatest level of freedom from glasses across all distances, allowing you to seamlessly switch between reading, working on a computer, and driving.
Which Lens is Right for You?
Choosing the right lens is a highly personal decision that depends on your hobbies, work life, and visual expectations. We understand this choice can feel overwhelming.
That’s why our Consultant Ophthalmologists at Clarity have put together a helpful, easy-to-use Lens Options Quiz to help you discover which IOL—be it Toric, Trifocal, or an Extended Monofocal—is best suited for your lifestyle.
