Key Takeaways

• Over 75% of cataract patients have preoperative corneal astigmatism, yet toric IOLs are used in only 18-20% of cases.
• Comprehensive preoperative planning, including patient education and diagnostic evaluations, is essential for successful astigmatism management.
• Intraoperative precision with advanced technologies ensures accurate toric IOL placement and optimal visual outcomes.
• Postoperative care involves monitoring for complications and addressing residual refractive errors to achieve high patient satisfaction.

Recent data suggest that more than 75% of patients with cataract have at least 0.5 diopter (D) of preoperative corneal astigmatism.¹ However, findings from a recent survey among members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery showed only 20% of their eligible patients receive toric IOLs.² Also, according to results from the 2023 European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Clinical Trends Survey, 18% of cataract procedures for patients with clinically significant astigmatism involve toric IOLs (Figure).³

Managing astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery is essential for optimizing visual outcomes and reducing spectacle dependence. As patient expectations continue to rise, precise correction of astigmatism can significantly impact their satisfaction and the perceived level of success of surgery. However, achieving these outcomes requires careful planning and meticulous surgical execution.

If astigmatism has not been addressed during cataract surgery, the following best practices can help integrate astigmatism management into the surgical workflow and improve patient outcomes. These include preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations, as well as the benefits of utilizing the latest technology.

Read more: https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/sharper-vision-starts-here/?

Source: Ophthalmology Times