Toric Lenses — Correcting Astigmatism

If you have astigmatism, it can be corrected at the same time as your cataract surgery.

A toric lens isn't a separate type of lens — it's an astigmatism correction built into whichever lens type suits you best. Whether that's a monofocal, EDOF, or multifocal lens, the toric element corrects the irregular shape of your cornea so that the full benefit of surgery isn't limited by residual blur from uncorrected astigmatism.

Why Does Astigmatism Matter in Cataract Surgery?

Astigmatism is common — many cataract patients have it. It's caused by the cornea being slightly oval rather than round, which means light doesn't focus evenly. Glasses or contact lenses correct it easily in everyday life.

But a standard intraocular lens doesn't correct astigmatism. Without a toric lens, a patient with significant astigmatism may still need glasses for distance vision after surgery — even though the cataract itself has been successfully removed. A toric lens addresses both problems at once.

How We Get It Right

The key to a good outcome with a toric lens is precise measurement and precise alignment during surgery. Your astigmatism is measured in detail during your pre-operative assessment, and image-guided technology (Zeiss Callisto Eye) is used in the operating theatre to position the lens accurately.

Not every patient needs a toric lens. Toric lenses are recommended depending on the amount of astigmatism present — this is part of the conversation and interpretation of your scanning when you are assessed for cataract surgery.