Toric implants

Jean-Charles Bauchau

Ophthalmologist

In addition to cataracts, some patients have a specific visual defect called astigmatism. This is linked to an irregularity in the curvature of the cornea, resulting in distorted or blurred vision, both at a distance and up close. In these cases, a conventional implant (monofocal or multifocal) will not correct the defect.

This is where toric implants come in. They are specially designed to to correct both cataract and astigmatism. Their surface is custom-made to compensate for the irregularity of the cornea. The result: after surgery, the patient benefits not only from clear vision thanks to lens replacement, but also from precise correction of their astigmatism.

The installation of a toric implant is similar to that of a standard implant, but with an additional step: the surgeon must position the implant in a very precise axis to ensure optimum correction. This is a meticulous stage, but today's techniques allow for a high degree of precision.

The advantages are significant: clearer vision without glasses, particularly for driving and activities of daily living. However, depending on the type of toric implant chosen (monofocal or multifocal), glasses may still have to be worn for certain distances.

Implant calculations are based on mathematical formulae with a very low margin of error.

To sum up, the toric implant is an excellent option for patients with astigmatism, because it provides better quality vision than a standard implant in this situations.