Comparison of Toric IOL Implantation and Opposite Clear Corneal Incision During Cataract Surgery to Correct Corneal Astigmatism

With increasing demands of patients concerning refractive outcome after cataract surgery, toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) that correct corneal astigmatism have been introduced more widely to cataract surgery. Originally toric IOLs were used mainly for patients with high degrees of astigmatism, especially after corneal surgical procedures such as penetrating keratoplasty. Since a couple of years, toric IOLs are available from numerous manufacturers to correct lower amounts of astigmatism which are much more prevalent with about 30% having a corneal astigmatism of 0.75D or more in the cataract population. This should result in less spectacle dependence of patients due to the astigmatic correction.

The alternative method to reduce corneal astigmatism as part of cataract surgery is to make incisions on the steeper axis of the cornea such as limbal relaxing incisions or an additional clear corneal incision opposite (OCCI) to the main cataract opening. These techniques are in use since more than 2 decades and are widely used in clinical routine. As with toric IOLs, precise alignment of the cuts with the axis of astigmatism is essential. The disadvantage of the incisional techniques is the variability of the effect between patients since it depends on factors such as the extent of scaring of the cuts after surgery as well as corneal thickness. The main advantage is the simplicity of the technique and the lower cost.

Aim of this study is to compare toric IOL implantation and opposite clear corneal incision during cataract surgery to correct corneal astigmatism.