If you wear glasses or contacts, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the word “astigmatism.” In fact, most people—even those who don’t require corrective lenses—have some degree of astigmatism. Put simply, astigmatism is the medical term for blurred vision. This condition occurs when the shape of the eye’s cornea is abnormal, or when the lens is irregularly curved. Essentially, these anomalies in shape create an inability to focus light properly on the retina, creating a blurry image.
Usually, those dealing with astigmatism are prescribed corrective glasses or contact lenses to help adjust the focus of light and create a clearer visual picture for the wearer. For certain severe cases of astigmatism, however, there is another more permanent solution in Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) implants.
Most often implanted at the time of cataract surgery, the Toric Lens implant effectively replaces the natural lens of the eye to create a clear, properly-shaped lens. Just like the external lenses provided by prescription glasses or contacts, the Toric Lens implant corrects for the abnormalities of the natural eye to create an ideal focus, thereby improving overall vision quality. Each implant is made from a safe, medical grade silicone or acrylic material and is coated with UV protection to protect your eyes from damaging sun rays.
If you suffer from severe astigmatism with or without cataracts, discuss with your ophthalmologist whether Toric Lens implants may be an option for you.
Eye Michigan’s experienced ophthalmologist will be able to determine the severity of your astigmatism and confirm whether you are a candidate for the surgery. Contact us today to make an appointment.