Astigmatism is a common cause of blurred vision. It occurs when the cornea has an irregular shape or as a result of an irregularity in the curvature of the lens. If you need surgery to remove cataracts causing vision loss, Dr. Nemi at Lotus Vision in Alpharetta, Georgia can correct astigmatism at the time of surgery with strategically placed incisions in the cornea or with a specially designed intraocular lens (IOL) to replace a clouded natural lens.
How Is Astigmatism Diagnosed?
Dr. Nemi can diagnose astigmatism with a comprehensive eye exam. Testing for astigmatism measures how the eyes focus light and determines what power of optical lens is needed for correction. The exam may include testing for:
Visual acuity
This is expressed as a fraction, with the top number representing the standardized testing distance of 20 feet, and the bottom number representing the smallest letter read in a standard eye chart exam. Normal visual acuity is 20/20.
Keratometry and corneal Topography
The primary instrument used to measure the curvature of the cornea is a keratometer. It focuses light on the cornea and measures its reflection. A corneal topographer generates a contour map of the cornea, providing detail of its shape.
Refraction
Refraction is a test that the eye specialist uses to measure a person's refractive error. Refractive error is when your eye does not bend light coming into your eye properly as it passes through the cornea, the crystalline lens and fluid media to come to a sharp, clear focus onto your retina. The refraction test will tell the doctor what lens prescription is needed in order to have normal 20/20 vision.
How Is Astigmatism Treated?
Many people have some degree of astigmatism. In most cases, slight astigmatism does not affect vision and does not require treatment. When it is more severe, astigmatism may require treatment with:
- Glasses or contact lenses;
- A series of specially designed, rigid contact lenses to gradually reshape the curvature of the cornea;
- Laser or other refractive surgery to reshape the cornea; or
- Using an intraocular lens (IOL) specially designed to correct astigmatism in cataract surgery.
- The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) and Light Delivery Device (LDD) system is approved for patients eligible for cataract surgery, with corneal astigmatism (at least 0.75 diopters), and without pre-existing macular disease.
Toric IOL to Correct Astigmatism
Using aToric intraocular lens, Dr. Nemi can treat your cataracts and precisely correct astigmatism in a single procedure. This replacement lens is designed with proven biomechanics and biomaterials to help ensure minimal rotation, so the lens will remain stable and centered in the lens capsule (the natural sac that holds the lens in place). Flexible design allows for optimal placement, and special lens materials ensure that, once implanted, the lens will adhere to the natural structures of the eye.
When placed as a replacement for the natural lens in cataract surgery, the toric IOL has been shown to:
- Reduce spherical aberration for enhanced visual performance
- Increase contrast sensitivity for better image quality
- Improve nighttime driving
Individually-Tailored Astigmatism Correction
Dr. Nemi at Lotus Vision serves Alpharetta and the entire Atlanta, Georgia area performing cutting-edge treatments to correct astigmatism and other vision conditions. He is board-certified and fellowship-trained, with a practice focused on laser vision correction, comprehensive eye care, and cataract surgery in Atlanta. If you have cataracts and astigmatism affecting your vision, Dr. Nemi can tailor a treatment plan to suit your individual needs.
The only effective treatment for cataracts is removal. With advanced technology available today cataract surgeon, Dr. Nemi, can remove cataracts, correct astigmatism, and treat presbyopia in a single procedure by placing a specially-designed intraocular lens to replace the natural lens.
