Question:
What's the method(s) used during a regular IOL implant operation for
correcting astigmatism? What are the risks and is the cost of this step
usually included in what the insurance covers, or is it something the
patient pays for?
Answer:
They just try to place the incision so that it will minimize astigmatism.
Since the incision has to be made anyway, it shouldn't cost anything
extra. However, there is no guarantee that it will work. In my case
and that of my wife, astigmatism was reduced to some degree.
I don't know of any other standard technique for reducing astigmatism in
cataract surgery.
Depending on how much astigmatism you have, the toric IOL may be a good idea.
One note though, it is only available on silicne, single-piece IOLs. Other types
of IOLs rotate unpredictably in the eye and this lens has to stay exactly where
the doc puts it. If he is not comfortable using that type of IOL, I'd defer to
that and wear toric glasses afterwards.
Remember, this is cataract surgery, not refractive. It is not intended to
correct myopia and make you free of glasses. You probably will wear glasses
afterwards, at least readers, I'd just get them set up for the astigmatism.
