I am having cataract surgery and have astigmatism. Can I have a non-toric lens inserted?
DEC 21, 2012
Answer:
Yes, a non-toric lens is acceptable for use in patients that have cataract surgery. If you have “regular” astigmatism, the type that can be corrected with glasses or a soft contact lens, a toric lens can make you less dependent or possibly not dependent on glasses for distance, but you can choose a non-toric lens and just wear glasses or contact lenses to correct the astigmatism after cataract surgery. “Irregular” astigmatism requires a gas permeable or more rigid contact lens to correct. This type of astigmatism actually does better with a non-toric lens implant. Your eye doctor can tell you which type you have based on the preoperative measurements in cataract surgery.