What Is Toric Lens Cataract Surgery?
A cataract forms when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, primarily due to ageing. This can lead to misty vision, glare, faded colours, and difficulties with night driving. Surgery is the only effective treatment, removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial one.
Standard cataract surgery typically uses a monofocal implant to focus light at one distance. However, for patients with astigmatism, light may not focus correctly, resulting in persistent blurriness even after surgery. Toric intraocular lenses offer a solution by incorporating different focusing powers for distinct meridians, effectively neutralising corneal astigmatism when positioned correctly within the eye.
Who May Benefit From Toric Lens Cataract Surgery?
Toric lens cataract surgery is suitable for individuals who have a cataract impacting their daily life and a significant level of corneal astigmatism. You may be a candidate if you:
- experience blurred or distorted vision at various distances
- have worn spectacles or toric contact lenses for years
- notice glare or halos around lights
- find daily activities like reading or driving increasingly difficult
- wish to reduce dependency on glasses after surgery
- have had cataract surgery in one eye and are considering options for the other
However, toric lenses are not suitable for everyone. Conditions such as irregular astigmatism, significant corneal scarring, advanced keratoconus, or certain retinal conditions may necessitate alternative implants. You will receive specific guidance from your clinician based on your examination and scans.
Conditions and Problems This Treatment May Address
- Age-related cataract: A condition where the natural lens clouds, causing reduced vision.
- Corneal astigmatism: Blurring due to an uneven corneal curvature.
- Glare and night-vision issues: Affecting driving confidence.
- Contact lens intolerance: Particularly for patients reliant on toric lenses.
- Cataract with other eye conditions: Such as glaucoma, where a coordinated surgical strategy is required.
In cases where cataracts and glaucoma coexist, treatment may be combined with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) or discussed alongside selective laser trabeculoplasty, depending on individual circumstances.
Potential Benefits
While outcomes vary, when a toric lens aligns well with the eye, patients may experience:
- sharper distance vision compared to standard implants in astigmatic eyes
- less dependence on glasses for activities like driving
- improved contrast and colour perception
- less distortion of images
- greater confidence in daily activities and night driving
- a stable correction that doesn’t require ongoing lens maintenance
Most patients will still need reading glasses with a monofocal toric lens, and some may require a light prescription for fine details. Setting realistic expectations is crucial during your consultation.
Consultation and Assessment
Careful measurement is essential for predictable outcomes in toric lens surgery. A consultation with Ms Diana Urbaneja typically includes:
- Discussion of your symptoms, visual demands, and lifestyle needs
- Your complete medical and ophthalmic history
- A review of your medications
- Vision testing and refraction
- Slit-lamp examination of the eye
- Measurement of eye pressure and optic nerve evaluation
- Optical biometry and corneal topography to assess astigmatism
- OCT imaging where necessary
How the Procedure Is Performed
Toric lens cataract surgery is typically performed as a day-case procedure, allowing same-day discharge. The surgery takes about 20 to 30 minutes, though you should allow several hours for the entire process.
- Anaesthetic: Usually local anaesthetic, allowing you to remain awake while numbing the eye.
- Marking and alignment: The lens’s intended axis is marked using pre-operative imaging.
- Cataract removal: A small incision is made at the cornea’s edge, and the cloudy lens is removed using ultrasound.
- Lens implantation: The folded toric lens is inserted and aligned onto the planned axis.
- Closure: The incision is typically self-sealing, and a protective shield may be applied.
Usually, each eye is treated at separate times to allow the first eye to heal and inform the planning for the second.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery experiences vary, but many notice improved vision within days. The final result usually stabilises over four to six weeks as the eye heals.
- Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops are prescribed for about four weeks.
- Avoid rubbing the eye and follow post-operative care instructions.
- Keep water and soap out of the eye; swimming should be avoided until cleared.
- Most can resume light activities within a couple of days.
- Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided temporarily.
- Do not drive until your vision meets legal standards and your surgeon advises.
- A follow-up appointment will check healing and lens alignment, and any final glass prescriptions are usually arranged a few weeks later.
Seek medical advice if you experience significant pain, redness, worsening vision, sudden floaters, or flashes of light.
01
Consultation
Corneal measurements & lens calculation
02
Surgery
Toric lens implantation
03
Aftercare
Drops & follow-up review
Guide Price
From £3,950
Per eye, including toric lens, theatre and aftercare. See the pricing page for all options.
At a glance
Anaesthetic
Local
Procedure time
~20 min / eye
Stay
Day case
Recovery
A few days
Both eyes
Separate visits