Purpose of review: To provide an update on the status of toric intraocular lenses. These lenses can be used as an alternative or adjunct to corneal astigmatic incisions for correcting preexisting astigmatism in patients with cataracts. They are a particularly attractive option in those cases where limbal-relaxing incisions are not powerful or predictable enough. Other toric lenses may correct astigmatism in addition to spherical refractive errors in phakic patients.
Recent findings: Toric lenses have continued to gain popularity with the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approval of the Acrysof Toric intraocular lenses. This lens is designed to be implanted in patients undergoing cataract removal and who have significant preexisting corneal astigmatism. In the FDA clinical trial, study patients received one of the three cylindrical powers, and control patients received a standard monofocal intraocular lenses. The study found that the Acrysof Toric intraocular lenses provided excellent visual outcomes and exhibited excellent rotational stability. With the Acrysof Toric intraocular lenses, the average lens rotation was less than 4 degrees from the lens' initial placement at 6 months after surgery.
Summary: Toric intraocular lenses provide excellent vision for astigmatic cataract patients, and new designs are significantly improving visual acuity by minimizing the risk of rotation.