Clinical outcomes after implantation of a new hydrophobic acrylic toric IOL during routine cataract surgery

To assess the clinical outcomes after implantation of a new hydrophobic acrylic toric intraocular lens (IOL) to correct preexisting corneal astigmatism in patients having routine cataract surgery.

Four hospital eye clinics throughout Europe.

Cohort study.

This study included eyes with at least 0.75 diopter (D) of preexisting corneal astigmatism having routine cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification was performed followed by insertion and alignment of a Tecnis toric IOL. Patients were examined 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively; uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, and keratometry were measured. Individual patient satisfaction with uncorrected vision and the surgeon's assessment of ease of handling and performance of the IOL were also documented. The cylinder axis of the toric IOL was determined by dilated slitlamp examination.

The study enrolled 67 eyes of 60 patients. Four to 8 weeks postoperatively, the mean UDVA was 0.15 logMAR ± 0.17 (SD) and the UDVA was 20/40 or better in 88% of eyes. The mean refractive cylinder decreased significantly postoperatively, from -1.91 ± 1.07 D to -0.67 ± 0.54 D. No significant change in keratometric cylinder was observed. The mean absolute IOL misalignment from the intended axis was 3.4 degrees (range 0 to 12 degrees). The good UDVA resulted in high levels of patient satisfaction.

Implantation of the new toric IOL was an effective, safe, and predictable method to manage corneal astigmatism in patients having routine cataract surgery.