[Correction of the astigmatism with the Artisan phakic toric lens]

The implantation of the intraocular anterior chamber phakic toric lens (PTIOL) Artisan, a product of the Ophtec company, is one of the most up-to-date methods of the correction of higher degree of myopic as well as hyperopic astigmatism. The authors refer about the results of PTIOL Artisan implantation in 6 patients (10 eyes). The major indication was the hyperopic astigmatism--in 5 patients (8 eyes); in one patient the indication was myopic astigmatism. In the followed up group of patients, there is the preponderance of men (5), and one woman only. The patients were divided into two subgroups: one with myopic astigmatism (1 patient, 2 eyes) and other with hyperopic astigmatism (5 patients, 8 eyes). The average age of the whole group at the time of the surgery was 27.7 +/- 2.8 years (range 23-38 years) and the average follow up period was 13.0 +/- 6.9 months (range 6-22 months). In the group the patients with follow up period shorter than 6 months were not included. The average preoperative spherical refractive error was +4.8 +/- 2.25 dioptres (D) and the average astigmatic error was -5.15 +/- 2.82 cylinders (Dcyl). In one case of myopia, the preoperative refractive error in both eyes was -7.0 D and -3.5 Dcyl. The target refraction was emetropia +/- 1.0 D. The authors evaluate the final uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (UCVA, BCVA), final postoperative refractive error, presence of intra- as well as postoperative complications, and changes of endothelial cells' density over time. The average final postoperative error in patients with hyperopic astigmatism was +0.72 +/- 0.93 D and -1.08 +/- 0.60 Dcyl. In the only patient with myopic astigmatism the final postoperative error of both eyes was +0.5 D and -0.5 Dcyl. The advantage of the PTIOL implantation is fast visual recovery, potential reversibility of the procedure, maintaining of the accommodation, and stability of the postoperative refraction.