What are Toric Lenses?
Toric lens also called toric intraocular lens, is an artificial replacement for the natural lens in your eye. It is used to treat vision problems such as astigmatism and reduce dependency on spectacles, especially after cataract surgery. Toric lenses are soft and are usually made of a hydrogel material. The key benefit is that they can align with the person’s eye contour – namely the cornea, and improve their vision.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract is an eye disorder where a person begins to lose their vision gradually. It is caused due to opacification of the lens in your eye. The cloudy lens is replaced with a toric lens implant during the cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery improves your vision in the following ways:
- Replaces the opacified or clouded lens with an intraocular lens (IOL)
- Makes adjustments in the curvature of the cornea to correct astigmatism
What are the Indications for Toric Lenses?
Toric lenses are recommended for the correction or improvement of poor eyesight due to conditions such as:
- Astigmatism: a defect in the eye curvature resulting in the eye not focusing light evenly on the retina causing poor/blurred vision
- Cataract
What is the Pre-Surgical Preparation for Toric Lens Implant?
Before your toric lens implant surgery, your eye doctor will:
- Perform a detailed eye exam and test your vision which includes response towards dim and bright environments to determine the extent of corneal aberration
- Select an appropriate implant for your condition based on the eye measurements
- Prescribe medicated eye drops to be used a few days before your surgery
- Instruct you to stop wearing contact lenses and taking certain medications several days before the surgery
Procedure for Toric Lens Implant Surgery
A toric lens implant surgery usually involves the following steps:
- You will have eye drops administered to numb the eye. You may also be given medications to relieve anxiety.
- During the procedure, you may see some light but will usually feel nothing or only some slight pressure.
- A tiny cut or incision will be made through your cornea to reach the damaged lens.
- The cloudy lens will be cut and removed piece by piece.
- It is then replaced by the multifocal lens implant.
- There are no stitches as the incision heals naturally.
Recovery and Post-surgical Care after Toric Lens Implant Surgery
You can return home the same day after toric lens implant surgery. You should have someone drive you home following the procedure.
- You can resume your regular activities within 2-3 days after the toric lens implant surgery.
- Take the medicated eye drops as prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid exercise and heavy lifting until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.
It may take a few weeks for the new lens to become fully functional post-surgery.
What are the Risks and Complications of Toric Lens Implant?
Toric lens implant may have the following risks and complications:
- Incorrect placement of the lens
- Malalignment of the toric lens
- Residual blurred vision
- Expensive compared to conventional lenses
